An updated overview of the political situation in the Middle East

The rector of Comillas Pontifical University, Antonio Allende SJ, was in charge of inaugurating the seminar, accompanied at the table by the dean of Comillas CIHS, Susanne M. Cadera, and the lecturer of the department and coordinator of the conference, Helena Ruiz. During his speech, the Rector pointed out that "these conferences bring students into contact with what is happening in the world". "The situation in the Middle East is at a turning point. The latest military operations, recent sanctions and new alliances have transformed an already fragile balance, generating new dynamics of conflict and cooperation," he said.

For her part, the dean recalled that this type of conference reflects current international affairs. "Unfortunately, in recent times, not a day goes by without something happening in the international sphere, and these forums aim to give visibility to current issues of this kind for students, lecturers and attendees in general," she said. Helena Ruiz added: "2024 is the year with the most violent armed conflicts since the end of World War II. However, incomprehensibly, peace missions have decreased as a result of the global situation of uncertainty that we are experiencing and the lack of commitment of many international organisations.

The first speaker of the day was the former director of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies (IEEE), Francisco Dacoba, who reviewed some of the background that has led Lebanon to the current situation, offering a personal approach to the situation in the region. "Lebanon is a small country surrounded by giants. In recent years, Christians have been a minority in the region," he stressed. "The history of Lebanon is a history of conflict. What came to be known as the Switzerland of the Mediterranean has been conditioned by the influence of Syria and Israel," he added.

During the next panel, economist and former Spanish Trade Minister Nemesio Fernández Cuesta-Illana acknowledged that energy dependence remains a key factor in the global economy. "When demand for products decreases, those countries with lower production costs have a competitive advantage. In this context, he defended energy transition as a necessity to ensure Europe's long-term competitiveness. "European competitiveness must be based on decarbonisation, which will allow hydrogen to be produced more efficiently and in any location," he said.

Ana Palacio, former Spanish Foreign Minister, noted that "in the current context of the European Union, it is essential to discuss the strengthening of our defence capabilities". "Europe must rearm, provide its armies with trained personnel and improve their equipment. Knowing our own defence structure is a responsibility we cannot ignore," she said. "In relation to the Middle East, regions such as Lebanon and Gaza require a humanitarian and global vision of cooperation. Spain, in particular, has played a supporting role in the area, and it is essential to continue promoting initiatives that contribute to regional stability," she said.