Institute for East West Strategic Studies

The Institute for East West Strategic Studies (RIESS) is a think tank, incorporated as a charity[1] registered in the UK since 17 October 1997 under number 1068421. RIESS has a strong association with the University of Oxford, and, lately has also enjoyed good support from the University of Cambridge.

Institute For East West Strategic Studies
Formation1997
TypeThink tank
HeadquartersApethorpe Palace, Apethorpe, PE85DJ
Location
Chairman
Professor Jean Christophe Iseux von Pfetten

Purpose

The goal of RIESS is to enhance better communication between East and West at leadership level.[2][3] RIESS used to be hosted by Merton College, Oxford, then moved to Green Templeton College, Oxford. Its permanent seat is now within the premises of the secluded former royal palace of Apethorpe.

Governance is handled by a Board of Trustees constituted of one permanent director (also called Chairman) seconded by two Vice-chairmen and includes the President (or Co-presidents) of the Advisory Board and two Academic representatives from respectively Oxford and Cambridge Universities. RIESS holds periodic seminars on various facets of East West strategic relations using Track II diplomacy and applying Chatham House Rules.[4] RIESS is supported by an Advisory Board constituted of fifty former Ministers and well-known Thought Leaders. Hon. Robert Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia, was President of the Advisory Board from 2005 to 2019. He was succeeded by the Co-Presidency of former Ministers Michele Aliot-Marie and Lord Howell. Jessica Rawson, then Master of Merton College, Oxford, was Academic Adviser from Oxford University for the period between 2010 and 2015. She was succeeded by Prof. Denise Lievesley, Principal of Green Templeton College, Oxford. The newly appointed Academic Adviser from Cambridge University is Prof. John Coates from Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

Influence on Iran nuclear disarmament negotiations

Since early 2013 RIESS held several confidential meetings involving top military commanders from Israel and Iran as well as a selection of military representatives from P5 nations and contributed to changing the Iranian position ahead of the official Nuclear Deal.[5][6][7][8] RIESS hosted a breakthrough meeting at Chateau de Selore on 3 November 2013 where two generals from Israel and Iran met for the first time to discuss the issue along with senior officials from P5 nations. The French and Chinese press reported that the success of the Nuclear Interim Deal achieved in Geneva on 11 November 2013 can be credited to this meeting held in France earlier that month. [9][10] After the Grand Deal achieved in Vienna on July 2015, the US press also reported that "The nuclear deal would not have been possible without the active involvement of Iran sole trusted friend - China" and that Chinese officials were involved in "a series of back-channel meetings in the run-up to July's grand deal" hosted by former Ambassador Prof. Jean Christophe Iseux von Pfetten, Chairman of RIESS.[11]

References
  1. "Registered charities in England and Wales". Charity Commission. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  2. http://www.spectator.co.uk/2013/06/china-the-middle-easts-new-power-brocker/%5B%5D
  3. Zachary Keck, The Diplomat. "China May Lead Nuclear Inspections in Iran". The Diplomat.
  4. <http://www.newsweek.com/burgundy-backchannel-243956/
  5. "Beijing Poised Play Crucial Role Nuclear Talks Iran Enter Final Stretch".
  6. http://blog.ft.com/the-world/2013/11/nuclear-issues-mulled-over-banquets-in-french-chateau/%5B%5D
  7. http://www.newsweek.com/broadway-talks-led-iran-deal-207256
  8. "Former MK meets with Iranian expat general over nuclear issue". The Times of Israel.
  9. http://www.lejsl.com/pays-charolais/2013/11/25/iran-l-influence-de-saint-yan
  10. http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1366584/calls-china-head-iran-inspections-offer-opportunities
  11. http://www.newsweek.com/2016/02/12/china-irans-hassan-rouhani-xi-jinping-421614.html


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.