The joint virtual session between the Institute for Political and International Studies(IPIS) and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) about the regional and international issues was held on Monday,  December 14 , 2020. The session was attended by Dr.Mohammad KazemSajjadpour – Deputy Minister of MOFA & President of IPIS, Mr.Majid Ghafelehbashi-Research Deputy at the Cenetr, Kambiz Sheikh Hassani and Vahid Karimi - Senior Experts at the Studies Center, Hassan Ahmadian and Mohsen S-University Professors and Kenichiro Sasaae – President of the Japan Institute of International Affairs,Mari Nukii and Ryo Sahashi – Senior Researchers at JIIA.

The session was held in the form of two panels, “ examining the primary issues in west and east Asia”, and “ the JCPOA and the impact of the U.S. election on it” , to answer the following questions:1) What are the latest developments in west and east Asia? 2)What is the role of transnational powers in the instabilities and escalation of tensions in the Persian gulf region? 3) What impact will the US election results have on the JCPOA? 4) What impacts will the US election results have  on west and east Asia?

Here are the most important issues touched upon at the session:

The movements and interferences of certain foreign actors have disturbed and challenged the balance and symetrics in the middle east region. These developments show that cooperation and multilaterism are essential for overcoming all regional and international issues and problems. The US unilaterism and Arab middle eastern states’ reliance on foreign powers for their security are primary factors tipping the balance and symetrics of the region which have ramped up tensions and increased regional threats.

Also the US/Chinese rivalries in the east Asia region have created some  tensions and spread security threats in the east Asia countries. For this, the changes and developments in America can affect  the regional security frameworks and challenges including north Korea and continuation of competition in the south China sea.

Biden’s election as president of the united states of America will impact other regional and international issues . Among the changes that may ensue would be the US potential return to the international agreements including the JCPOA. The Iranian partners have maintained that although the Europeans did not meet their commitments to compensate for the unconstructive US actions  after Trump withdrawing from the JCPOA, it is expected major countries in Asia such as Japan do their best to preserve and execute this agreement like in the past.