Eastern Europe Research Group - inaes-موسسه مطالعات آمریکای شمالی و اروپا
Department of East European Studies
Overview
Given its specific geopolitical position and the rapid developments of recent years, Eastern Europe has become a focal point of attention in the contemporary international system. The countries in this region—including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Balkan states, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova—play a key role in political and security equations due to their impact on European security and global power relations. Meticulously monitoring the developments of this region and analyzing the relations of these countries with the European Union, NATO, Russia, and other international actors is an undeniable necessity for a more precise understanding of the changing global order and for identifying strategic opportunities and threats to the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Within this framework, the Department of East European Studies operates under the Institute for North American and European Studies at the University of Tehran, aiming to produce specialized knowledge, monitor regional developments, and provide scientific and interdisciplinary analyses. By leveraging the expertise of domestic and international researchers and specialists, the Department seeks to facilitate the enhancement of scientific understanding, support informed decision-making regarding this region, and become a credible reference point for analysis in the field of East European studies.
Main Objectives
Research Priorities
In alignment with contemporary developments in Eastern Europe, the Department prioritizes the following research areas:
About the Head of the Department
Dr. Elaheh Karimi Riyabi, Associate Professor of Russian Studies at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, serves as the Head of the Department of East European Studies at the Institute for North American and European Studies. Her expertise in Russian studies—as a key actor in this region’s equations—enables the Department to monitor and analyze the political and security developments of this area with a deep and specialized approach, while fostering scientific and research cooperation in this field.
Given its specific geopolitical position and the rapid developments of recent years, Eastern Europe has become a focal point of attention in the contemporary international system. The countries in this region—including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Balkan states, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova—play a key role in political and security equations due to their impact on European security and global power relations. Meticulously monitoring the developments of this region and analyzing the relations of these countries with the European Union, NATO, Russia, and other international actors is an undeniable necessity for a more precise understanding of the changing global order and for identifying strategic opportunities and threats to the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Within this framework, the Department of East European Studies operates under the Institute for North American and European Studies at the University of Tehran, aiming to produce specialized knowledge, monitor regional developments, and provide scientific and interdisciplinary analyses. By leveraging the expertise of domestic and international researchers and specialists, the Department seeks to facilitate the enhancement of scientific understanding, support informed decision-making regarding this region, and become a credible reference point for analysis in the field of East European studies.
Main Objectives
- Establishing the scientific and organizational identity of the Department and formulating a research roadmap.
- Identifying and networking with researchers and specialists in the field of East European studies, both domestically and internationally.
- Continuously monitoring political, security, economic, and social developments in the region.
- Publishing analytical notes, strategic reports, and periodic bulletins.
- Organizing specialized sessions, roundtables, and scientific webinars with the participation of experts.
- Identifying the capacities and challenges of Iran’s relations with East European countries.
- Developing scientific and research cooperation and scientific diplomacy between universities in Iran and East European countries.
- Supporting young and specialized researchers in the field of East European studies.
Research Priorities
In alignment with contemporary developments in Eastern Europe, the Department prioritizes the following research areas:
- Political developments, governance, and decision-making systems in East European countries.
- Relations of regional countries with the European Union and processes of integration or divergence.
- Security relations, the role of NATO, and regional crises (particularly in Ukraine and the Balkans).
- Relations between East European countries, Russia, and other international actors.
- Political economy, infrastructure, trade, and financial markets in the region.
- Social and cultural developments and identity policies in the countries under study.
- Foreign policy of East European countries and their position in the contemporary international system.
- Strategic opportunities and threats of the region for the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
About the Head of the Department
Dr. Elaheh Karimi Riyabi, Associate Professor of Russian Studies at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, serves as the Head of the Department of East European Studies at the Institute for North American and European Studies. Her expertise in Russian studies—as a key actor in this region’s equations—enables the Department to monitor and analyze the political and security developments of this area with a deep and specialized approach, while fostering scientific and research cooperation in this field.