Since the attack on Israel in October 2023, the Middle East has experienced a new wave of wars that has been more destructive and expansive than any previous conflict. Starting as a war between Hamas and Israel, it has expanded to the Hizbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and later the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Why has this war escalated? Who is involved, and how can the dynamics of the conflict be understood? In this lecture, historian Roel Meijer demonstrates how the conflicts are interconnected and stem from deeper historical developments. He provides insight into how conflicts at international, regional, and local levels interact, why they are so difficult to resolve and why they have such disastrous effects on the local populations.
Before his retirement, dr. Roel Meijer was an Associate Professor at Radboud University, where he taught modern history and political science of the Middle East. In October 2025, his book Een moderne geschiedenis van de Arabische wereld (A Modern History of the Arab World, Amsterdam University Press) was published.
The impact of recent events is also felt at TU/e. Members of the TU/e community from affected countries, such as Iran, are torn between desperation, fear, and glimmers of hope, having to watch from afar as the conflict unfolds and impacts their relatives and friends. They must balance fear and uncertainty while trying to keep up with their work, studies and exams. In this lecture, Iranian students will share some of their experiences of these challenging times.
Ticket reservation recommended
To be assured of a seat, we recommend reserving a ticket (black "order" button).
SG & USE/ITEC registration
Please register for SG & USE/ITEC by scanning your student ID at the venue prior to the start of the program.
More information about SG & USE/ITEC can be found here.