New captain takes the helm
At the end of May, a leadership change took place when Susanne Dahlgren introduced me as the new director of the institute to my new duties. The intensive two-day program in Beirut included getting to know the institute’s premises, staff, and tasks, as well as meetings with Honorary Consul Zafer Chaoui and Finland’s Ambassador to Beirut, Anne Meskanen.
I accept this new role with humility but enthusiasm. I am grateful to return to Middle East research and to work in a region that has been close to my heart for the past 20 years. FIME’s scope covers the entire Middle East, and the institute plays a significant role in producing scientific research on the region for the benefit of Finnish society. The FIME team is small but highly skilled, and we achieve results through teamwork, where everyone’s contribution is important. I would like to thank the team already for welcoming me so warmly!
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Susanne Dahlgren for her successful leadership during her three-year term. The security situation in the region has been very challenging, yet Susanne has managed to keep FIME’s profile high scientifically, academically, and in other endeavours. I wish you all the best for the future, Susanne!
The tense security situation in the Middle East continues and affects the institute’s operations—the safety of our staff is always the top priority and that is why I’m starting my term in Finland. We are closely monitoring the developments in Lebanon and are committed to returning to Beirut as soon as the situation allows. Beirut will remain the institute’s home port.
Finding a temporary relocation within the region remains an option, and we are currently exploring the possibilities. It is important to remember that the institute is not evacuating for the first time. Throughout its history, it has had to move several times due to changes in security situations. The ability to move away from the eye of the storm to calmer waters has become an ability which the institute’s staff has adapted to over the years. A broad network of contacts across the Middle East is invaluable in these situations, and a potential temporary relocation elsewhere is more an opportunity than a threat; it can open new contacts.
Finally, the situation in the Middle East remains volatile and difficult to predict. I quote the late president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari: “All wars come to an end eventually.” There is hope, and we also hope that some of this Middle Eastern warmth might reach Finland in the form of sunshine and warm swimming waters. I wish everyone a good and relaxing summer!
Juha Mäkelä,
Director of the institute