The Asian Sphere: Trans-Cultural Flows| An Inter-University Graduate Program The University of Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

International Conference on: Multilateral Dynamics Between the Middle East and Asia: Current and Historical Perspectives

Conference Date and Venue: 16-18 December 2019, The University of Haifa

Ofer Observatory, Eshkol Tower, 30th Floor

DAY I (Tuesday, 17 December)

09:30-10:00          Registration

10:00-10:15          Opening Remarks

10:15-12:30 Panel I – East Asia, West Asia, and the Powers

Chair: Gideon Shelach-Lavi, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Yitzhak Shichor, University of Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Fluid Triangle: Shifting Cold War Alliances between Beijing, Moscow and Washington in the Middle East

P.R. Kumaraswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

India-US-Middle East Relations

Guy Burton, Vesalius College in Brussels, Belgium

Emerging Power Behavior under Uncertain Conditions: Russia, China and India and conflict in the Middle East

Altay Atli, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey

Between the East and the West: An Inquiry into Turkey’s Efforts of Foreign Policy Diversification

Discussant: Galia Press-Barnatan, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

12:30-14:00 Lunch

14:00-15:45 Panel II – Perception Gaps between East and West Asia

Chair: Michal Biran, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Zhang Chuchu, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

The Belt and Road Initiative as a Constructed Narrative: Bridging the Gap between Middle Eastern and Chinese Perceptions

Özlem Arzu Azer, İstanbul Esenyurt Üniversitesi, Turkey

Turkey in the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative: Between China and the World Bank

Rea Amit, Knox College, USA

Media Desert Storms and Yūjirō of Arabia: Japan’s Middle Eastern Phantasies

Discussant: Ori Sela, Tel Aviv University

15:45-16:15 Coffee break

16:15-18:00 Panel III – Cross-Regional Conflicts

Chair: Shakhar Rahav, University of Haifa

Alon Levkowitz, Beit-Berl College and Bar-Ilan University, Israel

The South Korean Sanctions Dilemma: How to Impose and Bypass Sanctions on North Korea and Iran

Meron Medzini, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Can China Play a Meaningful Role in Mediating between Israel and the Palestinians?

Chen Bram & Ran Shauli, Hebrew University & Hadassah Academic College, Israel

The Mass Killings of the Rohingya: A View from Israel

Discussant: Nissim Otmazgin, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

DAY II (Wednesday, 18 December)

10:00-12:15 Panel IV – East-West Asia Economic Relations

Chair: Arik Moran, University of Haifa

Zhu Zhiqun, Bucknell University, USA

Growing China-Israel Relations and Investments: Implications for the United States

James Dorsey, RSIS, Nanyang University, Singapore

China’s Makes Risky Bets: no more so than in the Middle East

Fabio Indeo, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

East-West Asia Energy Relations: Geopolitical Implications of a Strategic Cooperation

Eitan Oren, King’s College London

A New Chapter in Israeli-Asian Relations: The Roles of Israeli State and Non-state Actors in East-Asian Cyber-security

Discussant: Onn Winckler, University of Haifa

12:15-13:45 Lunch

13:45-15:30 Panel V – Diffusion of Ideas and Soft Power

Chair: Michal Daliot-Bul, University of Haifa

Nassef Manabilang Adiong, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines

The Influence of Saudi Orthodoxy on the Governance of the Bangsamoro

Leon Salomon, Levinsky College for education, Israel

Japanese Animation and its Reception in the Middle East

Yoram Evron & Micahal Zelcer-Lavid, University of Haifa, Bar-Ilan University

The BDS Movement in Soutth Korea and Japan

Discussant: Nimrod Baranovitch, University of Haifa

15:30-16:00 Coffee break

16:00-17:45 Panel VI – Israel’s Relations with East Asia

Chair: Yoram Evron, University of Haifa

Aron Shai, Tel Aviv University, Israel

Israel-China-Taiwan Relations

Sujata Ashwarya, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

India’s Israel-Iran Conundrum

Rotem Kowner, University of Haifa

Israel’s Relations with Japan: All Quiet in the (Far) Eastern Front?

Discussant: Guy Podoler, University of Haifa

17:50-18:30 Panel VII – Closing Discussion and Conclusion

THE CONFERENCE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC