ELIAMEP launched Crises in Focus, a new series of one-hour online discussions examining the most pressing crises of our time through a focused, in-conversation format between a leading international expert and an ELIAMEP researcher.
The first session, titled Iran in Crisis, took place on Monday, 19 January 2026, at 11:00 am (EET), featuring Riccardo Alcaro (Head of Research, Istituto Affari Internazionali) in dialogue with Ioannis N. Grigoriadis (Senior Research Fellow and Head of ELIAMEP’s Turkey Programme).
The discussion explored the role of Israel, as well as Iran’s strategic defensive posture, structured around three main pillars: ballistic missiles, regional networks, and the nuclear programme. These issues were examined alongside Iran’s domestic economic pressures and the impact of United States sanctions.
In addition, the speakers assessed EU–Iran relations since 2022 and briefly addressed the role of external actors, including China, Russia, and North Korea. The final part of the discussion was devoted to questions from participants addressed to Riccardo Alcaro, with particular emphasis on the prospects for Iran’s political trajectory.