The Levant

Description
Purpose and Vision
Research Areas

The Levant refers to a geopolitically, culturally and historically rich region that has historically been at the heart of the Eastern Mediterranean. Etymologically, the French word “Levant” means “where the sun rises” and symbolizes the East when viewed from Europe. Today, the Levant refers to a geography that includes Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Throughout its history, the Levant has been a meeting point for different civilizations, religions and cultures, attracting attention with its trade routes, religious centers and cosmopolitan structure. In recent years, however, this ancient geography has also been characterized by deepening crises, political instability and transformation processes. The Syrian civil war that began in 2011 and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that intensified especially after 2023 have placed the Levant at the center of not only regional but also global politics.

ORSAM Levant Coordinatorship aims to closely monitor this multi-layered and dynamic geography and to analyze in-depth the political developments, main actors, crisis areas and social transformation processes in the region. The coordinatorship aims to produce quality information for decision-makers, academia and the public and to develop realistic and feasible policy recommendations for the region.

The toppling of the Assad regime in December 2024 and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict have further increased international interest in the Levant. In this context, the intense presence of regional and global actors seeking to influence the region clearly demonstrates the strategic importance of the Levant. Energy security, cross-border migration flows, ideological and sectarian rivalries, and great power struggles for influence make the Levant one of the most critical sub-regions of the Middle East.

Publications