the Director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa programme. She is a leading expert and commentator on Middle East security with expertise on Iranian and Gulf politics, US foreign policy and geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.
Sanam leads project work on Gulf Arab economic and security dynamics, Iran’s regional objectives, women’s empowerment and regional governance, socio-economic and climate challenges. Sanam also brings insight and perspectives of UK, US and European policy priorities in the Middle East alongside understanding of China and Russia’s regional goals.
Sanam is also the James Anderson professorial lecturer in the Middle East Studies department at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS Europe) in Bologna, Italy where she has taught Middle East politics since 2008. Previously, Sanam was on the faculty of SAIS Washington’s Middle East Studies programme.
Sanam is the author of Action and Reaction: Women and Politics in Iran (Bloomsbury 2013). She is also a regular contributor providing commentary and analysis at CNN; Bloomberg; BBC News, CNBC, BBC; Sky News; Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The Financial Times; The New York Times; The Wall Street Journal; The Times; The Guardian; The Telegraph; The Independent; and National Public Radio.
Sanam received her BA in political science and history from Barnard College, Columbia University and her MA and PhD in international relations and international economics from Johns Hopkins University.. Sanam is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is regularly consulted by high ranking government officials in the US, Europe, UK, and Middle East.
Explore the intricate dynamics of women's roles in Iranian politics with Sanam Vakil, a Director at Chatham House and Lecturer at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe. Drawing from her insightful book, 'Action and Reaction: Women and Politics in Iran,' she offers a nuanced understanding of gender and power in the Middle East.
Sanam Vakil discusses the complexities of regional security, focusing on Middle Eastern dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and the implications for international peace and stability.
Would you like a workshop customised to meet your organisation’s specific needs and hosted by your chosen expert? Designed for your use case and supported by experienced facilitators, these interactive programs combine theory with real-world experience and provide leaders with practical skills that can be immediately applied. This approach fosters authentic behavioural change, improves leadership capabilities, and upskills your people across various subject areas. Get in touch with PepTalk today to learn how your team can benefit.
