2026-05-08

From conflicts in the Middle East and the Red Sea crisis to artificial intelligence (AI) governance, global supply chains, and semiconductor diplomacy, today’s rapidly shifting international landscape demonstrates how regional conflicts increasingly transcend geographic boundaries.

On May 8, the Department of Government and Law at the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) hosted the 3rd International Conference on the Middle East and Africa, themed “Embedded Crisis and Reconstruction: Governance in the Middle East and Africa within the Global Order.” The event brought together domestic and international scholars to examine governance challenges and reconstruction issues in the Middle East and Africa from a global perspective.

During the opening remarks, NUK President Chen Chi-Jen stated that regional conflicts and geopolitical competition are no longer confined to individual nations or regions. He noted that tensions involving Iran and security concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz directly affect global energy supplies and international market stability.

He also pointed out that issues such as reconstruction in Gaza Strip, conflict in Sudan, and governance challenges across Africa illustrate how global governance now faces increasingly complex and interconnected challenges.

President Chen emphasized that universities should serve not only as centers for knowledge production and talent development, but also as platforms for public dialogue that respond to critical global issues through international academic exchange.

The conference featured keynote speeches by Yen Chen-Shen from National Chengchi University’s Institute of International Relations and David Winter from University of Hertfordshire.

Professor Yen examined the Middle East and Africa through the lenses of the Global South, post-colonial development, resource dependency, and international order. Using examples such as African debt issues, resource-based economies, global financial systems, and geopolitical tensions, he highlighted how regional governance is increasingly shaped by global structural shifts and introduced the concept of “embedded crises.”

Conference paper presentations covered a wide range of pressing issues, including:

• Strategic culture and political narratives in Iran
• Geopolitics in the Red Sea and Somaliland
• Competition between the United States and China in Africa
• AI governance and technological authoritarianism
• Digital surveillance and national security
• Global South governance
• Taiwan’s semiconductor diplomacy in relation to South Africa

These discussions reflected how Middle East and Africa studies are increasingly intersecting with technology governance, global supply chains, international security, and diplomatic strategy.

Among the featured presentations, NUK Professor Wang Shun-Wen presented a paper titled:

“Strategic Culture under Threat: Iran’s Use-of-Force Narratives and the Adjustment of Strategic Culture after the Gaza War.”

His research examined political responses and shifts in nationalism within Iran following the war in Gaza Strip through the lens of strategic culture and narrative analysis.

The afternoon roundtable forum was chaired by NUK Professor Chen Wen-Sheng, where scholars discussed future challenges and opportunities for Middle East and Africa studies amid evolving global dynamics.

The closing session was hosted by Department Chair Yang Wu-Long and included participation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan Deputy Director Chen Yung-Po from the Department of West Asian and African Affairs.

Scholars continued discussions on regional conflict, reconstruction governance, Global South collaboration, and international partnerships—demonstrating Taiwan’s growing academic capacity and international networks in Middle East and Africa studies.

The conference was organized by NUK’s Department of Government and Law in collaboration with NUK’s College of Law, National Chengchi University College of International Affairs, Academia Sinica Institute of Ethnology, National Quemoy University, and supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.

The event further strengthened interdisciplinary and inter-university academic collaboration in Middle East and Africa studies.

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