This IIEA insights focused on the Middle-East's latest conflict and its consequences for the region, Europe, Ireland, and the global economy. Rory Montgomery, a former ambassador and Political Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, looked at the implications for Ireland and Europe; Laurence Norman, who has followed Iran’s nuclear programme over years for the Wall Street Journal, set out the possible diplomatic and military outcomes; Michael O’Sullivan, Author and Adviser on Intersection of Investment and Geopolitics, assessed the economic and energy impacts of the conflict and any potential escalation thereof; while Paola Rivetti of Dublin City University discussed Iran’s domestic politics and society.
 
Rory Montgomery was a senior Irish diplomat for almost four decades, serving as Political Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative to the EU. As Second Secretary General at both the Department of the Taoiseach (2014-16) and of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2016-19) he had lead responsibility for EU issues, including Brexit. He is currently Chairperson of the Press Council of Ireland.

Laurence Norman is a Reporter at The Wall Street Journal based in Berlin and Brussels, covering the EU, European foreign policy, and nuclear issues. Over the last 20 years, he has reported for the paper from London, New York, and Buenos Aires.

Michael O’Sullivan is an author, economist, and investor. He has twenty years’ experience in global financial markets, most recently as Chief Investment Officer at Credit Suisse Wealth. He is a Senior Adviser at WestExec, a Forbes contributor and author of ‘The Levelling’, which outlines what’s next in politics, economics, finance and geopolitics in the post globalisation era. 

Paola Rivetti is Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. She is author of Political Participation in Iran from Khatami to the Green Movement and an Associate Editor at the journal Iranian Studies. She is also a member of the Mentorship Committee of the Association for Iranian Studies and founding member of the Irish Network for MENA Studies.