‘At HSE University I Had the Opportunity to Meet the Best Academics’
In April 2024, HSE School of International Regional Studies of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs organised a round table ‘Russia and the Most Influential Countries of the Global South: Comparing Approaches to the New International Political and Economic-Financial Order’. Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl, Research Fellow at the School of International Regional Studies, spoke to HSE News Service on his report ‘Global South, BRICS, and Iran's Foreign Policy’ presented at the round table, his research interests and impressions of working at HSE University, and living in Moscow.
Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl completed his master's degree at Tehran University in Iran and his PhD at Ankara Gazi University in Turkey. Before coming to Russia, he had an opportunity to work as a researcher in Turkey and Iran.
Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl
— You've moved to Moscow in 2023. What are your impressions of working and living here?
— When I was a doctoral student, I read some of the professors' articles and I knew that HSE University had a very good ranking both in Russia and the world. It was a new experience for me, because at HSE University I had an opportunity to meet the best academics such as Professor Olga Volosyuk and Professor Andrey Baklanov and see their views on world politics closely. I am very happy to be here and at this university.
— Could you tell us about your research work at HSE University? What are you focused on?
— I am a Research Fellow at the School of International Regional Studies and working on the Middle East in general. Especially after coming to this school, I focused more specifically on the New World Order and Middle Eastern countries. In addition to regional actors, I also research the Middle East policies of global actors, such as China and India.
— Tell us a few words about your report presented at the round table ‘Russia and the Most Influential Countries of the Global South: Comparing Approaches to the New International Political and Economic-Financial Order’.
— At this roundtable, I gave a presentation on the ‘Global South, BRICS, and Iran's Foreign Policy’.
The Global South, a group of developing countries, has gained geopolitical significance in recent years. Relations with Russia and China are strengthening as engagement with Europe and the US decreases. Middle powers like Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa are seeking strategic autonomy and political power in the international system. Institutions like BRICS, G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization represent the return of the Global South. BRICS has become an important forum influencing trade, investment, and politics in emerging markets. Iran's foreign policy has shown an eastward approach by joining Shanghai and BRICS, which focuses on political and security issues. Membership in BRICS offers benefits in economy and politics, as well as opportunities for regional and international relations. The BRICS Bank, known as the New Development Bank, is a significant benefit for Iran, which is subject to Western sanctions. These conditions increase Iran's geopolitical weight in the region and the world.
The event participants also discussed the following topics:
- The Hybrid War as a New International Reality
- Sanctions and Counter-Sanctions in the World Mistrust
- How Are New Political Ideologies Evolving? Evidence from the World Majority
- Multilateral Cooperation and Its Digital Dimension: A Regional Perspective
— What are your professional plans?
— To continue my academic studies, gain new experiences and share them whenever I have the opportunity. Currently, I am based in Moscow, and for the future, I will explore the academic possibilities that lie ahead of me.
Since I work on the Middle East, I’ve also lived in this region and have academic experiences in Turkey and Iran. This has given me unique experience that I can offer, especially to students. I noticed that the students of this faculty are very curious about the Middle East region and many of them are learning Turkish and Persian, which creates an opportunity for me to share my knowledge.
— What do you like doing in your free time?
— I like reading, especially books in other languages, and watching movies. I also enjoy sports and sometimes I do fitness. Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to see other Russian cities yet. However, I am eager to visit Saint Petersburg in the future. I do not know Russian, but I plan to start learning it soon.
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