War and Peace - 2020’s Pivotal Shifts, COVID-19 & Regional Dynamics - SAJR Briefing

Miri delivers a sweeping analysis of the Middle East in 2020, blending regional geopolitics, social dynamics, and the impacts of COVID-19. She frames the year between two pivotal events: the U.S. killing of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani and the emerging peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates—a dramatic shift after decades without new treaties. Miri highlights how massive youth populations, largely unemployed and disillusioned, are reshaping the region’s trajectory, with many viewing the UAE as a beacon of opportunity.