The Gaza Conflict, Russia's Response, and Implications for the War in Ukraine

On 23 November 2023, the VCDNP and the International Affairs Institute (IAI), on behalf of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), organised a webinar titled “The Gaza Conflict, Russia's Response, and Implications for the War in Ukraine”.

The event was organised in the framework of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI), an effort of the EUNPDC to engage young women and the next generation in non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control discussions.

The webinar was moderated by VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova and featured remarks from Dr. Hanna Notte, a senior Middle East expert and Director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at Monterey.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Sokova gave an overview of the purpose and scope of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative, highlighting how the Initiative advances the participation of students and young professionals in the field through workshops, webinars, and a mentoring programme for young women.

Dr. Notte discussed the recent outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas and its implications for Russia's war against Ukraine. She assessed the benefits that Moscow is accruing from renewed conflict in the Middle East as well as the risks the Kremlin might face, depending on the course of the conflict. Dr. Notte also spoke more broadly about Russia's evolving Middle East strategy, including its deepening relationship with Iran and implications for the region.

The discussion was followed by a Q&A session, which covered a wide range of topics, including the causes for a deteriorating relationship between Russia and the West, potential consequences of the Gaza conflict for the war in Ukraine, and the impact of both conflicts on the global outlook for non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control.