Al Jazeera Media Network organized its fourteenth forum in the Qatari capital, Doha, on March 11 and 12, under the title "The Middle East in the Context of Russia's War on Ukraine: Growing Crises and Challenges", with the participation of a group of researchers, politicians and experts.

The forum discussed, through 6 sessions, the direct and indirect repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war, whether on its two main parties, or on others who were negatively or positively affected by it.

Within this context, the participants presented their readings of the map of the distribution of powers in the world a year after that war.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera Media Network, Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, inaugurated the forum, and expressed in his speech the importance of the topic that the forum addresses for discussion.

Especially after the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war befell neighboring countries and led to a rise in food prices, an influx of refugees, an intensification of the energy crisis, and a heavy shadow over international relations, referring in this context to the opportunities created by that war for energy-exporting countries, and what they created. Challenges for energy and food importing countries at the same time.

On the other hand, Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer stressed the importance of the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, which was announced recently, and said: It is important for this issue to be discussed in-depth at the table of the Fourteenth Al-Jazeera Forum.

Sheikh Hamad concluded his speech by talking about Al-Jazeera Network's coverage of the Russian war on Ukraine, noting its commitment to objectivity and impartiality, and its adherence to professional standards that made its screens and platforms a destination for those looking for accurate information and in-depth analysis.

Gulf interest in ending the war peacefully

For his part, Dr. Majid Al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed in the forum's keynote speech the seriousness of the Russian-Ukrainian war on world security, and stressed the importance of reaching a peaceful solution to that war.

Al-Ansari: Qatar, since the beginning of the crisis, has emphasized the importance of a peaceful solution (Al-Jazeera)

In this context, Al-Ansari said: Since the beginning of the crisis, Qatar has emphasized the importance of a peaceful solution and de-escalation, realizing the seriousness of the matter for Europe and the world.

He added that Qatar has taken upon itself, since the beginning of the war, to fulfill its obligations towards global energy security, especially with regard to gas.

Al-Ansari concluded his speech by pointing out the need for the international community to take into account other crises and issues that are no less serious than the Ukrainian crisis, such as the Palestinian issue, for example, and the importance of finding a just, peaceful settlement for this issue, which ultimately leads to the return of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Session summary

After the two opening speeches, the forum sessions began, which lasted for two days. Researchers and experts of different nationalities, with intellectual orientations and multiple political persuasions, participated in them. They concluded a number of opinions, most notably that the war in Ukraine is a proxy war between Russia and the West, and that it will not change the nature of the conflict. The international system will radically change, but it may be relatively reshaped to become more pluralistic.

The sessions indicated that despite the ongoing attrition of both Russia and the West, and the intensifying impact of the war on both, the West will remain strong and cohesive.

Which means that the biggest loser, if the war drags on, will be the Russian Federation.

The discussions of the sessions revealed that there are countries that benefited from that war.

Like the United States of America, which has strengthened its leadership of the international system, and like China, which sees the draining of the West as support for its quiet rise towards the leadership of the international system, or at least towards assuming an advanced position at its summit, and likewise like Turkey, whose geopolitical position has improved;

Especially after the grain export corridor agreement, and the same situation with regard to Iran, which documented the war through its relations with Russia on the military and economic levels, in addition to the oil-exporting Gulf countries.

Despite this, there are many countries in the world affected by that war.

Especially after the disruption of food supply chains and the rise in energy prices, which reflected negatively and led to the deterioration of the value of their national currencies and the increase of their indebtedness.

This warns of political and social unrest if the war continues.

Part of the discussions of the Al-Jazeera Forum (Al-Jazeera)

The forum sessions made it clear that it is in the interest of the Gulf states - in particular - to end that war and restore peace and security to the world, despite what may appear to be beneficial to it as a result of the rise in energy prices, because, in the long run, that war will lead to global instability. Increasing polarization among its influential powers, which will negatively affect the Gulf states.

Therefore, the forum concluded that the Gulf interest requires standing on neutrality, avoiding regional and international polarization, and disposing of natural and financial resources in accordance with the dictates of the interest of the Gulf peoples.

The forum sessions touched on the nature of media coverage and the challenges facing field correspondents, for example the security challenge that threatens the life of a reporter in those dangerous areas, and the professional challenge that may push parties to the conflict to consider what the journalist presents as propaganda against them, in addition to the cognitive challenge that forces them to The reporter educates himself while educating the recipients and conveying the news to them, in addition to the psychological challenge resulting from the difficulty of the human scenes that the reporter sees, which remain stuck in his mind for a long time after coverage.

The forum referred to the nature of Al-Jazeera network coverage in this context, and concluded that this coverage was characterized by balance, objectivity, professionalism, and impartiality, while it was also characterized by courage, initiative, and access to the front lines of fire to present an image to the viewer closer to reality, and explained that this coverage necessitated sending journalists Supporters to conflict areas, and ensuring their physical and psychological safety during and after coverage.

The forum recommended expanding the media coverage of the war from what can be provided by some relevant organizations and bodies, such as the Red Cross and the International Press Institute, especially with regard to their rights as media professionals and as civilians present in places of conflicts and wars.

It is noteworthy that the sessions of the Fourteenth Al Jazeera Forum were broadcast on Al Jazeera Live and the digital platforms of the Forum and the Al Jazeera Center for Studies. Details of the interventions and discussions witnessed in those sessions can be followed through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@aljazeeraforum/streams