National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies 2015 Seminar Series
A seminar presented by Dr Claire Spencer
Former Deputy Director Centre for Defence Studies, King’s College
Claire will give an overview of recent developments in the Middle East, focusing on the causes and
evolution of the so-?called “Arab Spring”. She will evaluate the current state of affairs, and offer insights on
the motivations and objectives of the main participants. She will then give her assessment of how events
could unfold and the implications for the rest of the world.
Claire will highlight the need for economic development as a precursor to the establishment of sustainable
and responsive political and civic institutions in the region. In particular she will discuss the role that energy production has and will continue to play across the region, and what this may mean in terms of global energy supply security.
After a relatively brief introductory overview, Claire will respond in more detail to questions and issues
generated by the audience. Claire is responsible for the overseeing of all of Chatham House’s research, seminars and publications relating to the Middle East. She has written and commented widely on US and EU policy towards Iran, Israel-?Palestine and the broader Middle East, in addition to her core research interest in North Africa. She is a previous Deputy Director of the Centre for Defence Studies at King’s College and Head of Policy for the Middle East and Central Asia for the development agency
Christian Aid.