This seminar surveys the interrelated issues of conflict, war and security in contemporary Middle East.  The seminar starts with a quick introduction on the historically-reconstructed geographical definition of the Middle East, in relation to its demographic, religious and linguistic diversity of the region. The seminar then surveys historically the creation of the modern Middle East state system after World War I and the demise of the Ottoman Empire. From that introductory part, the seminar moves to focus on the creation and evolution of the Arab-Israeli/Palestinian Israeli conflict throughout the last century (1918-present).  Later, the seminar also explores the geopolitical rise of Shite Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, the creation of the Iranian-led “resistance” axis and its impact on the conflict.  The seminar examines the significance the October 7 Hamas-led onslaught on Israel, and the ensuing Gaza/Hezbollah multi-dimensional ongoing war, as redefining conflict and security in contemporary Middle East. The seminar ends with raising ideas and options how towards conflict transformation in the Middle East.