Dr Robert Mason
@drrmason.bsky.social
Associate Professor at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Non-Resident Fellow with the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.
It's been a pleasure to be a Visiting Professor at the University of Helsinki these past 2 weeks. I have engaged with faculty, students and the wider business and policy communities here and look forward to building on these ties in future.
October 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
It's been a pleasure to be a Visiting Professor at the University of Helsinki these past 2 weeks. I have engaged with faculty, students and the wider business and policy communities here and look forward to building on these ties in future.
Hot off the press: 'Beyond import dependence: defence industry localisation strategies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states' with Ali Bakir et al www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Hot off the press: 'Beyond import dependence: defence industry localisation strategies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states' with Ali Bakir et al www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
My latest with Umer Karim looks at the Saudi - Pakistan defence deal and Gulf security www.eurasiareview.com/06102025-gul...
www.eurasiareview.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My latest with Umer Karim looks at the Saudi - Pakistan defence deal and Gulf security www.eurasiareview.com/06102025-gul...
3 weeks left to submit an abstract for this workshop on GCC state mediation gulfif.org/app/gss-work...
Gulf Mediation in the Middle East: Drivers, Convergence and Prospects – GSS Workshop
gulfif.org
October 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
3 weeks left to submit an abstract for this workshop on GCC state mediation gulfif.org/app/gss-work...
Call for abstracts out now. Deadline 31 October: gulfif.org/app/gss-work...
Gulf Mediation in the Middle East: Drivers, Convergence and Prospects – GSS Workshop
gulfif.org
September 21, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Call for abstracts out now. Deadline 31 October: gulfif.org/app/gss-work...
'As AI transforms warfare and diplomacy, revising the Vienna Convention could provide the legal foundation to counter cyber threats, deepfakes, and digital sovereignty disputes.'
My latest oped for The National Interest Techland:
nationalinterest.org/blog/techlan...
My latest oped for The National Interest Techland:
nationalinterest.org/blog/techlan...
The Vienna Convention Needs an Update to Protect Against AI Threats
As AI transforms warfare and diplomacy, revising the Vienna Convention could provide the legal foundation to counter cyber threats, deepfakes, and digital sovereignty disputes.
nationalinterest.org
August 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
'As AI transforms warfare and diplomacy, revising the Vienna Convention could provide the legal foundation to counter cyber threats, deepfakes, and digital sovereignty disputes.'
My latest oped for The National Interest Techland:
nationalinterest.org/blog/techlan...
My latest oped for The National Interest Techland:
nationalinterest.org/blog/techlan...
The September 2025 issue of the JASIA [12:3] is now available online. You can access it directly by following this link:
journals.sagepub.com/toc/AIA/curr...
journals.sagepub.com/toc/AIA/curr...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
August 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The September 2025 issue of the JASIA [12:3] is now available online. You can access it directly by following this link:
journals.sagepub.com/toc/AIA/curr...
journals.sagepub.com/toc/AIA/curr...
My latest co-authored piece is 'How the Trump-Musk Feud Could Reshape Space Policy and Rein in SpaceX' nationalinterest.org/blog/techlan...
How the Trump-Musk Feud Could Reshape Space Policy and Rein in SpaceX
Trump’s feud with Musk opens a window to curb SpaceX’s unchecked power and protect US national security interests. President Donald Trump’s feud with Elon Musk might enhance US national security inter...
nationalinterest.org
August 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
My latest co-authored piece is 'How the Trump-Musk Feud Could Reshape Space Policy and Rein in SpaceX' nationalinterest.org/blog/techlan...
Very good to have presented my paper that reassesses Buzan and Wæver's Regional Security Complex Theory as it relates to the Middle East at #isavirtual2025
August 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Very good to have presented my paper that reassesses Buzan and Wæver's Regional Security Complex Theory as it relates to the Middle East at #isavirtual2025
Useful analysis of risks associated with Israel and Iran's forward defence strategies en.majalla.com/node/326515/...
Two’s a crowd: the strategy of forward defence in the Middle East
Arming proxies and launching pre-emptive strikes was Iran's 'forward strategy' model since the devastating Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88. Then, from October 2023, Israel copied it. A recipe for disaster?
en.majalla.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Useful analysis of risks associated with Israel and Iran's forward defence strategies en.majalla.com/node/326515/...
Reposted by Dr Robert Mason
“Preliminary intelligence assessments provided to European governments indicate that Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile remains largely intact following US strikes on its main nuclear sites, two officials have said.”
Andrew England & Henry Foy, @financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4kSoxUW
Andrew England & Henry Foy, @financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4kSoxUW
Early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium largely intact, European officials say
Preliminary assessments suggest Tehran was able to move much of its stockpile
on.ft.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Preliminary intelligence assessments provided to European governments indicate that Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile remains largely intact following US strikes on its main nuclear sites, two officials have said.”
Andrew England & Henry Foy, @financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4kSoxUW
Andrew England & Henry Foy, @financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4kSoxUW
My latest piece is 'The Splintering of the Resistance Axis'. It argues that groups such as the Houthis are already building alliances with other non-state actors such as Al Shabaab, ensuring its survival and growth should further conflict cut support from Iran. gulfif.org/the-splinter...
The Splintering of the Axis of Resistance - Gulf International Forum
Two days before the sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman, Israel launched a series of strikes on June 13, 2025, abruptly halting the...
gulfif.org
June 26, 2025 at 5:33 AM
My latest piece is 'The Splintering of the Resistance Axis'. It argues that groups such as the Houthis are already building alliances with other non-state actors such as Al Shabaab, ensuring its survival and growth should further conflict cut support from Iran. gulfif.org/the-splinter...
Middle East Policy has just published a special issue, The Israel-Iran War, which includes my spring 2025 article, "Negotiating the Impossible? A WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East." It's outside the paywall for at least the next four weeks. @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Middle East Policy has just published a special issue, The Israel-Iran War, which includes my spring 2025 article, "Negotiating the Impossible? A WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East." It's outside the paywall for at least the next four weeks. @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Robert Mason
Important. "The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an early US [DIA] intelligence assessment" edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/p...
Exclusive: Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, sources say | CNN Politics
The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an e...
edition.cnn.com
June 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Important. "The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an early US [DIA] intelligence assessment" edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/p...
My latest article on establishing a nuclear free zone in the Middle East has a fresh lease of life given the evolving facts on the ground in Iran.
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
US strikes against Iranian nuclear sites have drawn urgent international attention to the Iranian nuclear issue. | Robert Mason FRSA FHEA
US strikes against Iranian nuclear sites have drawn urgent international attention to the Iranian nuclear issue. In this edition of Middle East Policy below, my article on establishing a NWFZ in the M...
www.linkedin.com
June 23, 2025 at 5:50 AM
My latest article on establishing a nuclear free zone in the Middle East has a fresh lease of life given the evolving facts on the ground in Iran.
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
Delighted to see this article is now out: 'From “Relative Autonomy” to “Relational Autonomy”? A Reappraisal of GCC State-Building and Foreign Policy'
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
From “Relative Autonomy” to “Relational Autonomy”? A Reappraisal of GCC State-Building and Foreign Policy
Our conceptual understanding of the international relations of the Arab Gulf States has been hitherto dominated by great power engagement in a fluid and fragmented Middle East, accompanied by Gulf ...
www.tandfonline.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Delighted to see this article is now out: 'From “Relative Autonomy” to “Relational Autonomy”? A Reappraisal of GCC State-Building and Foreign Policy'
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Dr Robert Mason
Still free to read in the Spring 2025 Middle East Policy: the Iran-Saudi dilemma in Gaza by @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, busting Syria myths by Rob Geist Pinfold, Turkey’s ascendance by Saban Kardas, and curbing WMD by @drrmason.bsky.social. Plus many more.
t.co/QbrR4fy6DP
t.co/QbrR4fy6DP
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967/2025/32/1
t.co
May 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Still free to read in the Spring 2025 Middle East Policy: the Iran-Saudi dilemma in Gaza by @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, busting Syria myths by Rob Geist Pinfold, Turkey’s ascendance by Saban Kardas, and curbing WMD by @drrmason.bsky.social. Plus many more.
t.co/QbrR4fy6DP
t.co/QbrR4fy6DP
Call for papers: journals.sagepub.com/home/WAJ
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
April 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Call for papers: journals.sagepub.com/home/WAJ
My recent intervention on the US and Eastern Mediterranean Security is available here mecouncil.org/publication_...
The United States of America and Eastern Mediterranean Security
The Mediterranean has often been a contested space, affected by the demise of the Ottoman Empire and the end of European empires in North Africa after the Second World War.
mecouncil.org
April 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
My recent intervention on the US and Eastern Mediterranean Security is available here mecouncil.org/publication_...
In my latest article for ORIENT, I write about 'President Trump’s Return to “Maximum Pressure” Against Iran.'
orient-online.com
orient-online.com
Home - Orient Online
German Journal for Politics, Economics and Culture of the Middle East, published by the German Orient-InstitutennLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur
orient-online.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:03 AM
In my latest article for ORIENT, I write about 'President Trump’s Return to “Maximum Pressure” Against Iran.'
orient-online.com
orient-online.com
Reposted by Dr Robert Mason
All readers can access the news issue of Middle East Policy without charge through May 1! Check out analyses of Syria, Gaza, the US-Saudi deal, and reconciliation in conflict zones by @drrmason.bsky.social, @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, and many others.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
Middle East Policy: Vol 32, No 1
Click on the title to browse this issue
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
All readers can access the news issue of Middle East Policy without charge through May 1! Check out analyses of Syria, Gaza, the US-Saudi deal, and reconciliation in conflict zones by @drrmason.bsky.social, @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, and many others.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
This is a work in progress but as it stands offers in broad strokes what negotiations towards a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East could look like.
Read more here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author...
Read more here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:48 AM
This is a work in progress but as it stands offers in broad strokes what negotiations towards a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East could look like.
Read more here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author...
Read more here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author...
Reposted by Dr Robert Mason
It's arrived! It's always satisfying to see a new book in print for the first time! Great chapters from co-authors @drrmason.bsky.social and Banafsheh Keynoush as well.
February 20, 2025 at 11:52 AM
It's arrived! It's always satisfying to see a new book in print for the first time! Great chapters from co-authors @drrmason.bsky.social and Banafsheh Keynoush as well.
My latest piece on Oman’s economy argues that making key Omani industries as attractive as possible as FDI destinations will translate into more equitable deals and help further integrate Oman into the global economy.
agsiw.org/omans-bid-to...
agsiw.org/omans-bid-to...
Oman’s Bid to Attract Investment
As Oman pursues its Vision 2040 reform agenda, many opportunities could stem from closer economic and long-term alignment with neighbors and other major trading partners.
agsiw.org
February 5, 2025 at 5:24 AM
My latest piece on Oman’s economy argues that making key Omani industries as attractive as possible as FDI destinations will translate into more equitable deals and help further integrate Oman into the global economy.
agsiw.org/omans-bid-to...
agsiw.org/omans-bid-to...