Programs & Projects
The West Asia Program
The West Asia program provides original research on developments in the Middle East and Central and Southwest Asia, including as they impact on Australia. Central research issues include relations between West Asia and East Asia, the Arab uprisings and geo-political change in the Middle East and Australia’s relations with the Gulf.
Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Journal Articles
Lebanon: the Chimera of a Shi’a ‘third way’
Lowy Institute Nonresident Fellow Rodger Shanahann recently published an article in the Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, vol. 36, no. 3, Spring 2013,…
Speeches
Australia-France Strategic Dialogue: Co-Chairs' Report
Australia and France are well-placed to help each other advance their security interests in a rapidly changing world. Despite differences of geography, these two countries share…
Speeches
Religion or realpolitik: a comparative study of Iranian foreign policy towards Azerbaijan and Pakistan
Nonresident Fellow Dr Rodger Shanahan presented a paper, 'Religion or Realpolitik: A Comparative Study of Iranian Foreign Policy Towards Azerbaijan and Pakistan' at the…
Commentary
West must temper expectations of what Rowhani can deliver
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Rodger Shanahan writes that Hassan Rowhani's ability to curb Iran's nucler ambitions is limited.Rodger Shanahan
Commentary
Pan-Arabism loses ground in religious divide
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Rodger Shanahan writes that religion has emerged as the defining element of identity in the post-Arab Spring Middle East.Rodger Shanahan
Commentary
Talks are only Syrian solution
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Rodger Shanahan write that US Secretary of State John Kerry's trip to Russia and the subsequent announcement of a peace conference to be…
Policy Briefs
Football diplomacy redux: the 2015 Asian Cup and Australia's engagement with Asia
In 2015 Australia will host the Asian Football Confederation’s Asian Cup, providing opportunities for government, business and community groups to strengthen their engagement with…
Analyses
Egypt's Islamist President: what lies ahead?
On 30 June 2012, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was sworn in as Egypt’s first ever democratically elected President. In an effort to address some of the questions…
Policy Briefs
Enduring ties and enduring interests?
Largely as a consequence of military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Australia has developed strong defence ties with key GCC countries. But with these deployments coming to…
Analyses
Justice or stability? Hizbullah, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and consequences for the region
In a new Lowy Institute Analysis, Non-resident Fellow Dr Rodger Shanahan explores what the outcomes of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, investigating the assassination of former…