Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East & North Africa In brief Date - 7 May 2026Venue - OnlineSpeakers - Robert Springborg (Simon Fraser University) and Guilian Denoeux (Colby College)Discussant - Dr Jamie Allinson (School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh) Email Anthony Gorman for joining details About the eventIslamic and Middle Eastern Studies with the Middle East Research Group are holding this online seminar with Robert Springborg and Guilian Denoeux, who will be speaking on their recent book (written with Hicham Alaoui), 'Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East and North Africa' (2026). The discussant of the conversation will be Dr Jamie Allinson of the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh.With hardening authoritarianism and state capture by militias exacerbating the challenges faced by providers of development and political aid across the Middle East and North Africa, how can aid be made more effective? Can donors overcome the limitations of their outdated assistance playbooks?Analysing the fraught relationships between Western aid providers and MENA recipients, the authors of 'Making Aid Work' suggest innovative, practical approaches for overcoming the chronic limitations—and disappointing results—of assistance aimed at encouraging economic development and political reform in the region.About the speakersGuilain Denoeux is Professor of Government at Colby College.Robert Springborg is non-resident research fellow of the Italian Institute of International Affairs and adjunct professor in the School of International Studies at Simon Fraser University.How to attendThis event is open to all, and free to attend. Attendance is online only, and you can contact Dr Anthony Gorman of IMES for joining details. Email Anthony Gorman for joining details Are you interested in studying with us?We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world's three main languages, placing Arabic, Persian and Turkish in the context of history, literature, culture, religion and politics, past and present.Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programmes. Find out more about Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh Tags Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies May 07 2026 16.00 - 17.30 Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East & North Africa An online seminar featuring Robert Springborg and Guilian Denoeux speaking on their recent book, for which this event is named (written with Hicham Alaoui). Online via Teams Email Anthony Gorman for joining details
Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East & North Africa In brief Date - 7 May 2026Venue - OnlineSpeakers - Robert Springborg (Simon Fraser University) and Guilian Denoeux (Colby College)Discussant - Dr Jamie Allinson (School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh) Email Anthony Gorman for joining details About the eventIslamic and Middle Eastern Studies with the Middle East Research Group are holding this online seminar with Robert Springborg and Guilian Denoeux, who will be speaking on their recent book (written with Hicham Alaoui), 'Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East and North Africa' (2026). The discussant of the conversation will be Dr Jamie Allinson of the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh.With hardening authoritarianism and state capture by militias exacerbating the challenges faced by providers of development and political aid across the Middle East and North Africa, how can aid be made more effective? Can donors overcome the limitations of their outdated assistance playbooks?Analysing the fraught relationships between Western aid providers and MENA recipients, the authors of 'Making Aid Work' suggest innovative, practical approaches for overcoming the chronic limitations—and disappointing results—of assistance aimed at encouraging economic development and political reform in the region.About the speakersGuilain Denoeux is Professor of Government at Colby College.Robert Springborg is non-resident research fellow of the Italian Institute of International Affairs and adjunct professor in the School of International Studies at Simon Fraser University.How to attendThis event is open to all, and free to attend. Attendance is online only, and you can contact Dr Anthony Gorman of IMES for joining details. Email Anthony Gorman for joining details Are you interested in studying with us?We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world's three main languages, placing Arabic, Persian and Turkish in the context of history, literature, culture, religion and politics, past and present.Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programmes. Find out more about Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh Tags Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies May 07 2026 16.00 - 17.30 Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East & North Africa An online seminar featuring Robert Springborg and Guilian Denoeux speaking on their recent book, for which this event is named (written with Hicham Alaoui). Online via Teams Email Anthony Gorman for joining details
May 07 2026 16.00 - 17.30 Making Aid Work: Dueling With Dictators and Warlords in the Middle East & North Africa An online seminar featuring Robert Springborg and Guilian Denoeux speaking on their recent book, for which this event is named (written with Hicham Alaoui).
