Richard Atwood, Interim President and CEO, Crisis Group
Representative from the European Union, to be confirmed

Following the fall of Kabul and the Taliban takeover in August, Afghanistan is again in turmoil, in a deeper humanitarian crisis and on the brink of a complete financial collapse. The country is dependent on external funds, which are now frozen given the diplomatic deadlock in which Afghanistan finds itself. Internally, the security situation has rapidly worsened, with the Taliban’s rule challenged by the increasing activities of the ISKP, and by the rising ethnic and tribal tensions. This panel will build on Crisis Group’s assessment and recommendations of the Autumn 2021 Watch List, looking at how the EU, its member states, and other international actors should play their role in ensuring urgent humanitarian aid and relief, while also finding a diplomatic approach for a possible engagement with the Taliban.

Speakers

Kate Clark, Author at the Afghanistan Analysts Network
Tomas Niklasson, EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan
Graeme Smith, Senior Consultant on Afghanistan, Crisis Group

Moderator

Pierre Prakash, Deputy Program Director for Asia, Crisis Group

Ethiopia is on the verge of full-scale civil war. The confrontation between the authoritarian armed forces and the democratic movement in Sudan is escalating. Somalia is preparing for critical elections, while al-Shabaab is once again threatening the government. South Sudan is beleaguered by political and socio-economic ills. Peace and democracy currently seem out of reach for the Horn of Africa. The EU has a critical interest in the stability of the region. But there are other factors at play, owing to Sudan and Ethiopia's central role in the region. This panel will look at what can the EU and its member states do to further strengthen and deepen its strategic relationship with one of the world’s most unstable yet strategically key regions.

Speakers

Murithi Mutiga, Project Director for the Horn of Africa, Crisis Group
Lidet Tadesse, Policy Officer in the Security and Resilience Programme, ECDPM
Representative from the European Union, to be confirmed

Moderator

Elissa Jobson, Director of Global Advocacy, Crisis Group

Elissa Jobson, Director of Global Advocacy, Crisis Group

The future of the country seems frailer than ever: a humanitarian crisis is looming over Lebanon, the country is on the edge of total economic collapse and the political deadlock is not easing. Lebanese ruling elites are unwilling to push reforms and leave their grip on power, therefore, the country is in a stalemate after the appointment of a new PM in September 2021. There is a long way to go before the 2022 elections and, meanwhile, the security situation remains unstable - as seen in October 2021 when protests by Hizbollah and Amal supporters in Beirut escalated in a violent outbreak. This panel will look at how the EU, its member states, and other international actors, could mitigate tensions among parties, reduce the risk of a new, dangerous escalation, keep supporting reform and promote good governance.

Speakers

Michael Miller, Head of Unit for the Middle East, DG NEAR, European Commission
Haneen Sayed, Program Leader for Human Development in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, World Bank
Heiko Wimmen, Project Director, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, Crisis Group

Moderator

Joost Hiltermann, Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Crisis Group

Venezuela continues to be in the midst of a tense political standoff and socio-economic meltdown, with hyperinflation, rising crime and food shortages that keep pushing millions to flee the country. A negotiated restoration of democracy and urgent economic reform are vital to reduce violence and mass emigration. The EU has decided to send an election observation mission (EOM) that will have a politically sensitive role in the November regional and municipal polls. The EOM’s report and unfolding political dynamics may have an impact on the dispute between Maduro’s government and the opposition. After the failure of the attempted talks in Mexico, this panel will look at what the EU and international players can do to ensure the successful resumption of pending talks and what measures they should take in the aftermath of the Venezuelan elections.

Speakers

Ivan Briscoe, Program Director for Latin America, Crisis Group
Phil Gunson, Senior Analyst Venezuela, Crisis Group
Maryhen Jiménez, School for Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford
Javier Niño Perez, Deputy Manager Director for the Americas, European External Action Service

Moderator

Mariano de Alba, Senior Advocacy Advisor, Crisis Group

Giuseppe Famà, Head of EU Affairs, Crisis Group