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The newly established Levant Strategic Centre concluded its inaugural Aqaba Forum for Security and Strategy roundtable, held yesterday in Amman, with a strong call for sustained interregional dialogue, evidence-based policy innovation, and deeper cooperation to address the region's evolving security challenges.

Hosted by the Levant Strategic Centre (LSC) in partnership with the RCAST Open Laboratory for Emergence Strategies (ROLES) at the University of Tokyo, the Forum brought together a wide range of experts from prominent think tanks such as RUSI, in addition to subject matter experts from Japan, the United Kingdom, Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The one-day event featured two high-level plenary sessions exploring the new post-war security landscape following the Iran–Israel conflict, as well as strategic dynamics in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and the Gulf.

"This Forum was born out of a recognition that traditional frameworks can no longer explain or contain the region's volatility. We are proud to have created a space where dialogue, not division, drives the search for strategic clarity. The Aqaba Forum will continue to serve as a platform for exchange of regional security discussions and intellectual rigor"

Dr. Satoshi Ikeuchi, Director of ROLES and Professor at the University of Tokyo, emphasised the value of interregional academic collaboration:

"What we witnessed here is a genuine effort to understand the Middle East through a wider lens—one that includes East Asia as both observer and engaged partner. The Japanese delegation came not only to listen, but to contribute to shaping peaceful and pragmatic approaches to regional crises."

Participants lauded the Forum's inclusive approach, its focus on critical fault lines, and its commitment to intellectual independence.

"The Forum succeeded in posing the right questions—not just about security threats, but about geo-strategic opportunities. It also re-centered human security as a core strategic concern."

As the day concluded, the Levant Strategic Centre announced plans to make the Aqaba Forum for Security and Strategy a recurring event, in addition to organising a series of other events that will tackle issues critical to the security environment of the Levant. A summary report of proceedings, including key takeaways and policy recommendations, will be published in the coming days.