Abu Dhabi, UAE - 13 November 2025: The Rabdan Security and Defence Institute (RSDI), in collaboration with the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) in Türkiye, convened a closed online discussion to exchange expert insights on regional security dynamics, defence diplomacy, and emerging cooperation pathways across the Middle East.
This engagement forms part of RSDI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with leading international think tanks and promote the exchange of knowledge in the fields of security and defence.
The session was moderated by Prof. Murat Yeşiltaş, Director of Foreign Policy Studies at SETA, and brought together a distinguished group of researchers and academics from the UAE and Türkiye. Discussions explored the evolving geopolitical landscape, defence procurement trends, and the region’s transition from traditional hegemonic structures to a more multipolar order.
Contributions included an analysis by Dr. Abdul Rahman Bin Yaacob, Fellow Researcher and Assistant Professor at RSDI, who examined defence ties between Türkiye, the Gulf States, and Southeast Asia. Dr. Olli Pekka Suorsa, Assistant Professor at Rabdan Academy’s Homeland Security Program, discussed arms procurement in the Gulf and the entrance of new market players. Dr. Serhat Süha Çubukçuoğlu, Senior Researcher at Trends Research and Advisory, offered a perspective on the Middle East’s security complex within an increasingly fragmented global order. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Aslan, Senior Researcher at SETA, explored the Turkish–UAE outlook in the context of regional security dynamics, while Mr. Rıfat Öncel, Researcher at SETA, addressed the feasibility of expanding the Turkish defence industry within the Gulf region.
The discussion highlighted the growing opportunities for defence cooperation between Türkiye and Gulf countries, the deepening importance of regional diplomacy, and the value of research-driven dialogue in shaping future security partnerships.
