What is the duration of the ICWCPME-26 conference?

The conference is scheduled to run for two days.

International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East (ICWCPME-26)

Name: International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East (ICWCPME-26)
Start: 2026-09-23T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-09-24T00:00:00Z
Location: Brussels

Sep 23–24, 2026Brussels, BelgiumIn-person

Happening nowRegistration open

The International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East (ICWCPME-26) will convene in Edinburgh, GBR, to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities for peace in the Middle East. This event provides a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share insights and develop strategies for conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in a region marked by persistent instability. Participants will engage in discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, from the root causes of conflict to innovative approaches in peacebuilding. The conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play and to contribute to evidence-based policy recommendations for sustainable peace.

Committees & topics

Topics
The Dynamics of War and Conflict in the Middle East · Peacebuilding Initiatives and Challenges · Security Dilemmas in a Turbulent Region · Civil Wars and Their Aftermaths · The Legacy of Colonialism and Its Impact on Contemporary Conflicts · Violence and Human Rights in Conflict Zones · State Formation and Governance in Conflict-Affected Areas · Resistance Movements and Their Strategies

Why it matters

The Middle East remains a focal point of global geopolitical interest, characterized by complex inter-state and intra-state conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the involvement of numerous external actors. Understanding the historical, political, economic, and social drivers of these conflicts is crucial for developing effective peacebuilding initiatives. The conference's focus on war, conflict, and peacebuilding is particularly relevant given the ongoing challenges in countries such as SYR, YEM, IRQ, and LBN, among others.

This event is significant because it brings together diverse perspectives on a region where peace is often elusive. By examining various dimensions of conflict, including the role of non-state actors, regional rivalries, and international interventions, the conference seeks to identify pathways toward stability. The discussions will also delve into the socio-economic impacts of conflict, including displacement, economic disruption, and the long-term effects on societal cohesion.

Furthermore, the conference provides an opportunity to explore successful peacebuilding models and lessons learned from other conflict zones, adapting them to the unique context of the Middle East. This includes examining the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, and community-level peace initiatives. The insights generated are vital for informing policy and practice aimed at mitigating suffering and fostering reconciliation.

The gathering in GBR underscores the international community's continued engagement with the region's challenges. It serves as a critical forum for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas that can contribute to more resilient and peaceful societies in the Middle East.

How to prepare

To effectively engage with the themes of the International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East, delegates should undertake thorough preparation. A foundational understanding of the historical context of conflicts in the Middle East, including key events and actors, is essential. Familiarity with the current geopolitical landscape, including the roles of regional powers like SAU, IRN, TUR, ISR, QAT, EGY, JOR, OMN, and ARE, as well as global powers such as USA, RUS, FRA, DEU, and GBR, will enhance participation.

Delegates should also research specific case studies of conflict and peacebuilding efforts within the region, paying close attention to the successes and failures of various interventions. This includes understanding the complexities of internal conflicts in SYR, YEM, and IRQ, and the broader implications for regional stability. Consider how different approaches to peacebuilding, from top-down diplomatic efforts to grassroots initiatives, have fared.

Consider reviewing Model Diplomat's lessons on <a href="/learn/lessons/engagement-strategies">Engagement Strategies</a> and <a href="/learn/lessons/dynamic-analysis">Dynamic Analysis</a> to better understand how to approach complex conflict scenarios. Additionally, exploring <a href="/learn/lessons/what-is-stakeholder-mapping">What Is Stakeholder Mapping?</a> and <a href="/learn/lessons/stakeholder-workshop">Stakeholder Mapping Workshop</a> can provide valuable frameworks for analyzing the diverse actors involved in Middle Eastern conflicts and peace processes, including both state and non-state entities, and their respective interests and influence.

Finally, delegates should be prepared to discuss the humanitarian dimensions of conflict, including refugee crises, food insecurity, and the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction. Understanding the role of international organizations and NGOs in these efforts, and the ethical considerations involved, will be crucial for contributing meaningfully to the conference discussions.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 12 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Israel

Views peacebuilding through the lens of national security and regional stability, often prioritizing security concerns in any peace initiative.

Role in topic

A key actor in regional conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has significant security interests influencing its approach to peacebuilding in the broader Middle East.

Iran

Emphasizes regional self-determination and resistance to external interference, often supporting non-state actors and viewing peacebuilding as a process free from Western influence.

Role in topic

A major regional power with significant influence in countries like SYR, IRQ, LBN, and YEM, often through proxy groups, shaping conflict dynamics and peace prospects.

Saudi Arabia

Advocates for regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts, often aligning with Western powers and seeking to counter Iranian influence.

Role in topic

A significant regional power involved in conflicts such as the war in YEM, and a key player in diplomatic efforts and economic aid for peacebuilding.

Türkiye

Seeks to assert its regional influence, often balancing its relationships with Western allies and its own strategic interests in neighboring countries like SYR and IRQ.

Role in topic

Involved in conflicts in SYR and IRQ, and a host to a large refugee population, making it a critical actor in both conflict dynamics and humanitarian responses.

United States

Aims to promote regional stability, counter-terrorism, and protect its strategic interests, often through diplomatic engagement, military presence, and support for allies.

Role in topic

A global superpower with extensive military and diplomatic involvement in the Middle East, influencing conflict outcomes and peace processes across the region.

Russia

Seeks to re-establish its influence in the region, often supporting specific regimes and challenging Western hegemony, particularly in SYR.

Role in topic

A significant external actor, particularly in SYR, providing military support and engaging in diplomatic initiatives that shape the future of conflicts.

United Kingdom

Focuses on diplomatic solutions, humanitarian aid, and supporting international efforts for peace and stability, while maintaining historical ties and strategic interests.

Role in topic

A key European power with historical ties to the region, actively involved in diplomatic efforts, humanitarian assistance, and hosting international conferences on Middle Eastern peace.

Syria

The Syrian government seeks to restore its sovereignty and control over all territories, often viewing peacebuilding through the lens of suppressing opposition and external interference.

Role in topic

The epicenter of a protracted civil war with significant regional and international involvement, making it a critical case study for conflict resolution and humanitarian crises.

Yemen

The various factions within Yemen have differing visions for the country's future, with peacebuilding efforts complicated by internal divisions and external interventions.

Role in topic

Engulfed in a devastating civil war with significant humanitarian consequences, representing one of the most urgent peacebuilding challenges in the region.

Iraq

Aims to achieve national unity and stability after years of conflict, balancing internal sectarian divisions with external influences.

Role in topic

Has experienced prolonged conflict and instability, including the fight against ISIS, and is a crucial country for understanding post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation.

Lebanon

Struggles with internal political divisions and external pressures, seeking to maintain its delicate sectarian balance and sovereignty amidst regional tensions.

Role in topic

A country facing significant political and economic crises, heavily impacted by regional conflicts and hosting a large refugee population, making its stability vital for regional peace.

Palestine

Seeks self-determination and statehood, with peacebuilding efforts centered on ending occupation and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.

Role in topic

The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a central and enduring conflict in the Middle East, with profound implications for regional stability and international relations.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

The Dynamics of War and Conflict in the Middle East

The modern Middle East has been shaped by overlapping cycles of interstate war, civil conflict, and proxy competition since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the post-World War I mandate system. The Arab-Israeli wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973, the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, the 1990-91 Gulf War, the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the post-2011 conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Libya have entrenched militarized politics across the region. These conflicts share recurring features: contested borders, sectarian mobilization, oil and water competition, and the involvement of external powers seeking influence over strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Since 2011, the regional order has fragmented further. The Syrian civil war drew in Russia, Iran, Turkey, Gulf states, and the United States; Yemen became an arena of Saudi-Iranian rivalry; and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, along with strikes between Israel and Iran in 2024-2025, have revealed how directly state and non-state actors are now confronting each other. The Abraham Accords (2020) and intermittent Saudi-Iranian rapprochement (2023, brokered by China) suggest diplomatic openings, but conflict dynamics remain driven by deterrence failures, militia networks, and unresolved questions of sovereignty and recognition.

Key players

Peacebuilding Initiatives and Challenges

Peacebuilding in the Middle East has cycled through bilateral peace treaties, multilateral frameworks, and track-two diplomacy with mixed results. The Camp David Accords (1978), the Israel-Jordan Treaty (1994), the Oslo process (1993-1995), the Taif Agreement ending Lebanon's civil war (1989), and the Abraham Accords (2020) demonstrate that durable agreements are possible, but most have left core grievances - particularly Palestinian statehood and refugee return - unresolved. UN-led processes for Syria (Geneva, Astana), Yemen (Stockholm Agreement, 2018), and Libya (Berlin Process) have produced ceasefires more often than political settlements. Contemporary peacebuilding faces structural obstacles: fragmented sovereignty, the proliferation of armed non-state actors, weak transitional justice mechanisms, and donor fatigue. The UN Peacebuilding Commission and Fund operate alongside regional initiatives by the Arab League, GCC, and OIC, but coordination remains thin. Reconstruction in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza requires tens of billions of dollars, yet financing is hostage to political conditionality, sanctions regimes, and disputes over who governs the territory being rebuilt. Local peacebuilding - including women-led mediation under UNSCR 1325 - has shown promise but is rarely scaled into national frameworks.

Key players

Security Dilemmas in a Turbulent Region

The Middle East exhibits a classic security dilemma: defensive measures by one state are routinely interpreted as offensive by rivals, fueling arms races and proxy escalation. Iran's nuclear program, Israel's undeclared arsenal, Gulf missile defense purchases, and Turkish drone proliferation have all reinforced this dynamic. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) attempted to cap Iran's enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, but the US withdrawal in 2018 and subsequent Iranian breaches have left the nonproliferation architecture under severe strain. Security dilemmas are amplified by the absence of an inclusive regional security forum. Unlike Europe's OSCE, the Middle East lacks a body where Iran, Israel, the Gulf states, and Turkey can negotiate confidence-building measures. Direct Iran-Israel exchanges in April and October 2024, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, and Hezbollah-Israel escalation in 2024 have demonstrated how quickly deterrence can collapse. Proposals for a WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East, revived through annual UN conferences since 2019, remain stalled over sequencing and Israeli participation.

Key players

Civil Wars and Their Aftermaths

The Middle East has hosted some of the 21st century's most destructive civil wars. Lebanon's 1975-1990 war established a sectarian power-sharing model that still constrains governance. Iraq's post-2003 conflict, Syria's war since 2011, Yemen's war since 2014, and Libya's post-2011 fragmentation have together displaced tens of millions, generated regional refugee flows, and entrenched warlord economies. The 2024 collapse of the Assad government and ongoing transition in Syria, the fragile UN-mediated truce in Yemen, and Iraq's still-tenuous post-ISIS reconstruction illustrate how 'post-conflict' is rarely a clean condition. Aftermaths in the region share common pathologies: contested transitional justice, the integration or marginalization of armed groups, sectarian quotas that ossify into elite capture, and reconstruction financing tied to geopolitical alignment. Returnee policies for refugees - from Syrians in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, to Iraqis and Yemenis - intersect with host-country politics and EU migration policy. Without inclusive political settlements, ceasefires tend to freeze rather than resolve conflicts, leaving societies vulnerable to renewed violence.

Key players

The Legacy of Colonialism and Its Impact on Contemporary Conflicts

Many of the region's contested borders and political arrangements trace to the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, the 1917 Balfour Declaration, and the League of Nations mandate system that divided former Ottoman territories between Britain and France. The drawing of state boundaries with limited regard for ethnic, sectarian, or tribal geography produced enduring fault lines in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. The unresolved status of the Kurds - dispersed across Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran after the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne superseded the 1920 Treaty of Sèvres - remains a defining example. Decolonization in the mid-20th century was uneven: Algeria's 1954-1962 war of independence against France, British withdrawals from Palestine (1948), Aden (1967), and the Gulf (1971), and continued contested sovereignty in Western Sahara all left structural legacies. Contemporary conflicts continue to invoke these histories: Palestinian claims rest on the unfulfilled provisions of UNGA Resolution 181 and the Nakba; Lebanon's confessional system was codified under the French Mandate; and Gulf border disputes often mirror lines drawn by British political agents. Debates over reparations, archive access, and the return of cultural property are increasingly part of the region's diplomatic agenda.

Key players

Violence and Human Rights in Conflict Zones

Conflict zones across the Middle East have generated documented patterns of grave human rights violations: indiscriminate aerial bombardment, siege warfare, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, torture, and the targeting of medical and humanitarian workers. UN commissions of inquiry have reported on Syria since 2011, on the 2014, 2018, and 2023-2025 Gaza conflicts, on Yemen, and on Libya. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants related to Libya, Sudan/Darfur, and, in 2024, Israeli and Hamas leaders in connection with the Gaza war, while the International Court of Justice is hearing South Africa's genocide case against Israel and has issued provisional measures. Accountability remains uneven. Universal jurisdiction cases in European courts have produced convictions for Syrian regime officials, but most perpetrators across the region operate with impunity. Civilian harm is compounded by restricted humanitarian access, the use of starvation as a method of warfare, and attacks on UN personnel - including the highest UN staff death toll on record in Gaza. Digital surveillance, including the use of commercial spyware against journalists and dissidents, has expanded the human rights agenda beyond classical battlefield concerns.

Key players

State Formation and Governance in Conflict-Affected Areas

State formation in the Middle East has often proceeded under conditions of war, occupation, or external tutelage rather than through consolidated social contracts. Post-2003 Iraq, post-2011 Libya, post-2011 Yemen, and the Palestinian Authority since Oslo all illustrate the challenges of building functional institutions amid contested sovereignty, hybrid security sectors, and rentier economies. The Kurdistan Regional Government, Hezbollah's parallel governance in parts of Lebanon, the Houthi administration in northern Yemen, and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria all demonstrate how de facto authorities can deliver services and security while complicating central state-building. Governance in conflict-affected areas increasingly involves layered authority: international missions (UNAMI in Iraq, UNSMIL in Libya, UNRWA across the Palestinian territories), donor-driven public financial management reforms, and informal networks of patronage. Post-Assad Syria has placed transitional governance, constitution-drafting, and security-sector reform at the center of regional diplomacy. Across cases, the question is whether legitimacy is built through elections, service delivery, transitional justice, or some combination - and whether external actors can support these processes without entrenching dependency.

Key players

Resistance Movements and Their Strategies

Resistance movements in the Middle East range from secular nationalist organizations to Islamist militias to civil, non-violent campaigns. The Palestinian national movement evolved from the PLO's armed struggle to the political-administrative role of the Palestinian Authority and the continued militancy of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Hezbollah emerged from Lebanon's resistance to Israeli occupation in the 1980s into a transnational political-military actor. Kurdish movements - the PKK, PYD/YPG, and peshmerga forces - combine armed resistance with governance projects. The Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) has transformed from a Zaydi revivalist group into the de facto authority in northern Yemen with regional strike capabilities. Non-violent movements have also shaped the region: the Arab uprisings of 2010-2012, Sudanese and Algerian protest waves in 2019, Iraqi Tishreen demonstrations, and Iranian women-led protests since 2022 around the slogan 'Woman, Life, Freedom.' Strategies vary across asymmetric warfare, lawfare in international courts, BDS-style economic pressure, information operations, and mass mobilization. States in the region and beyond classify many of these movements as terrorist organizations, while their supporters frame them as legitimate resistance under international law - a contestation that itself drives much of the region's diplomatic confrontation.

Key players

Resources

News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East (ICWCPME-26).

Recent reporting to ground your prep

Actor Vijay's Political Move

Supreme Court's Voting Rights Impact on 2026

Trump's Federal Election Strategy

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Lessons

Bite-sized lessons to build the basics

Engagement Strategies

Gender Dynamics Across Cultures

Hidden Stakeholders

Dynamic Analysis

Courses

Guided courses that go deeper on the topic

Conflict Resolution

Advanced Negotiation

Multilateral Negotiation

Policy Brief Writing

Frequently asked questions

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International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East (ICWCPME-26)

Sep 23–24, 2026Brussels, BelgiumIn-person

Happening nowRegistration open

Committees & topics

Topics
The Dynamics of War and Conflict in the Middle East · Peacebuilding Initiatives and Challenges · Security Dilemmas in a Turbulent Region · Civil Wars and Their Aftermaths · The Legacy of Colonialism and Its Impact on Contemporary Conflicts · Violence and Human Rights in Conflict Zones · State Formation and Governance in Conflict-Affected Areas · Resistance Movements and Their Strategies

Why it matters

How to prepare

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 12 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Israel

Views peacebuilding through the lens of national security and regional stability, often prioritizing security concerns in any peace initiative.

Role in topic

A key actor in regional conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has significant security interests influencing its approach to peacebuilding in the broader Middle East.

Iran

Emphasizes regional self-determination and resistance to external interference, often supporting non-state actors and viewing peacebuilding as a process free from Western influence.

Role in topic

A major regional power with significant influence in countries like SYR, IRQ, LBN, and YEM, often through proxy groups, shaping conflict dynamics and peace prospects.

Saudi Arabia

Advocates for regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts, often aligning with Western powers and seeking to counter Iranian influence.

Role in topic

A significant regional power involved in conflicts such as the war in YEM, and a key player in diplomatic efforts and economic aid for peacebuilding.

Türkiye

Seeks to assert its regional influence, often balancing its relationships with Western allies and its own strategic interests in neighboring countries like SYR and IRQ.

Role in topic

Involved in conflicts in SYR and IRQ, and a host to a large refugee population, making it a critical actor in both conflict dynamics and humanitarian responses.

United States

Aims to promote regional stability, counter-terrorism, and protect its strategic interests, often through diplomatic engagement, military presence, and support for allies.

Role in topic

A global superpower with extensive military and diplomatic involvement in the Middle East, influencing conflict outcomes and peace processes across the region.

Russia

Seeks to re-establish its influence in the region, often supporting specific regimes and challenging Western hegemony, particularly in SYR.

Role in topic

A significant external actor, particularly in SYR, providing military support and engaging in diplomatic initiatives that shape the future of conflicts.

United Kingdom

Focuses on diplomatic solutions, humanitarian aid, and supporting international efforts for peace and stability, while maintaining historical ties and strategic interests.

Role in topic

A key European power with historical ties to the region, actively involved in diplomatic efforts, humanitarian assistance, and hosting international conferences on Middle Eastern peace.

Syria

The Syrian government seeks to restore its sovereignty and control over all territories, often viewing peacebuilding through the lens of suppressing opposition and external interference.

Role in topic

The epicenter of a protracted civil war with significant regional and international involvement, making it a critical case study for conflict resolution and humanitarian crises.

Yemen

The various factions within Yemen have differing visions for the country's future, with peacebuilding efforts complicated by internal divisions and external interventions.

Role in topic

Engulfed in a devastating civil war with significant humanitarian consequences, representing one of the most urgent peacebuilding challenges in the region.

Iraq

Aims to achieve national unity and stability after years of conflict, balancing internal sectarian divisions with external influences.

Role in topic

Has experienced prolonged conflict and instability, including the fight against ISIS, and is a crucial country for understanding post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation.

Lebanon

Struggles with internal political divisions and external pressures, seeking to maintain its delicate sectarian balance and sovereignty amidst regional tensions.

Role in topic

A country facing significant political and economic crises, heavily impacted by regional conflicts and hosting a large refugee population, making its stability vital for regional peace.

Palestine

Seeks self-determination and statehood, with peacebuilding efforts centered on ending occupation and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.

Role in topic

The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a central and enduring conflict in the Middle East, with profound implications for regional stability and international relations.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

The Dynamics of War and Conflict in the Middle East

Key players

Peacebuilding Initiatives and Challenges

Key players

Security Dilemmas in a Turbulent Region

Key players

Civil Wars and Their Aftermaths

Key players

The Legacy of Colonialism and Its Impact on Contemporary Conflicts

Key players

Violence and Human Rights in Conflict Zones

Key players

State Formation and Governance in Conflict-Affected Areas

Key players

Resistance Movements and Their Strategies

Key players

Resources

News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for International Conference on War, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the Middle East (ICWCPME-26).

Recent reporting to ground your prep

Actor Vijay's Political Move

Supreme Court's Voting Rights Impact on 2026

Trump's Federal Election Strategy

Supreme Court VRA Ruling Empowers GOP 2026

Lessons

Bite-sized lessons to build the basics

Engagement Strategies

Gender Dynamics Across Cultures

Hidden Stakeholders

Dynamic Analysis

Courses

Guided courses that go deeper on the topic

Conflict Resolution

Advanced Negotiation

Multilateral Negotiation

Policy Brief Writing

Belgium September 2026

By committee

Frequently asked questions

Free account

Save conferences, research any topic with AI, build position papers, and keep your daily prep streak — free.

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Committees & topics

Why it matters

How to prepare

Country perspectives

Topics & background

Resources

Frequently asked questions

Committees & topics

Why it matters

How to prepare

Country perspectives

Topics & background

Resources

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