ANU Chancellor, former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Professor The Hon. Gareth Evans chaired a conversation with two of Australia’s premier academic experts on Middle Eastern, Arabic and Islamic issues, Prof. Amin Saikal and Dr Raihan Ismail, both from the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. The discussion was directed toward the challenges for Australia as a result of geopolitical instability and the rise of sectarianism in the Middle East.

Under the topic 'Eastern promise or clear and present threat? Geopolitical and sectarian challenges to Australia from the Middle East', the panelists discussed a wide range of issues including security and sectarian issues with a focus on Iran and Saudi Arabia, Saudia-Iranian relations and the Israeli-Palestinian situation.