Mission and vision

The Centre for Geopolitical Studies on the Middle East (CEGESMO) is a think tank founded in 2024 in Strasbourg, France. It was created by a group of former students from the University of Strasbourg, trained in history, political science and economics, all of whom shared a passion for the Middle East. CEGESMO was born out of the observation that there was a lack of an independent structure to objectively analyze the complex dynamics of this region of the world, which is both rich and volatile. The think tank is led by researchers who are fluent in the major languages of this area and have an intimate knowledge of its cultures.

Why Strasbourg?

The choice of Strasbourg was not accidental. In addition to being the meeting place for the founding team, it has also been a leading center for research on the history, languages, and cultures of the Orient since the late 19th century. Eminent scholars have taught and studied at the Imperial University of Strasbourg, such as Theodor Nöldeke, Carl Brockelmann, and Heinrich Hübschmann. This academic excellence has continued to this day, thanks to scholars such as André Neher in Hebrew studies, Irène Mélikoff in Turkish studies, and Éric Geoffroy in Arabic studies. The University of Strasbourg is thus one of the only institutions in France where one can study the four major languages of the Middle East: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. This linguistic and cultural expertise is an undeniable asset for our work.

Our geopolitical approach

We approach Middle East geopolitics as a method of analyzing power rivalries in this region, taking into account both objective geographical data and the subjective perceptions of the various actors. We strive to understand territorial issues, national and identity claims, as well as the strategies of states and non-state actors. Our approach is multidisciplinary, bringing together geography, history, ethnology, and economics to shed light on the underlying factors of the political and military actions of the stakeholders. We aim to provide an informed and nuanced understanding of regional dynamics. Our goal is to provide relevant insights to decision-makers as well as the general public interested in these issues.

Interdisciplinary collaborations

CEGESMO is distinguished by its resolutely interdisciplinary approach. We bring together researchers with diverse and complementary profiles — political scientists, historians, anthropologists, and economists — for a 360-degree view of the geopolitical challenges in the Middle East. We are looking forward to fruitful partnerships with various faculties and departments of the University of Strasbourg, the departments of oriental studies of the faculty of languages (departments of Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish studies), the Institute of Muslim Worlds of the faculty of historical sciences, EM Strasbourg Business School and the faculty of economics, as well as with Sciences Po Strasbourg. We are also open to collaborations with cultural and religious associations linked to the Middle East present in Strasbourg.

International network

Thanks to the international dimension of our team, we already have many links with universities, research centers, and think tanks active in the Middle East. We believe it is crucial to bring together European and Middle Eastern researchers in order to achieve a better understanding of this complex region. The geographical location of Strasbourg, at the heart of the Rhineland, also encourages us not to collaborate only with French institutions and researchers, but also to seek to create partnerships with organizations in Germany, Switzerland, and the rest of Europe.