We are SEPAD High impact, international research from academics and policy makers working in the field
Background About Us
Recent Reports
After years of proxy war, Saudi Arabia and Iran are finally squaring up in the open Dr. Simon Mabon - 3rd Sep 2018

Ever since Saudi Arabia executed Shia Cleric Nimr al-Nimr for terrorist ...
Saudi Iranian Relations after the rise of Mohammad Bin Salman Dr. Simon Mabon - 3rd Sep 2018

The son of King Salman, Mohammad Bin Salman (MbS) had already been one o...
Studying sectarianism while beating dead horses and searching for third ways Morten Valbjørn - 20th Sep 2018

A pivotal piece by our research fellow, Morten Valbjørn, which consider...

What We Do

The Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) project based at Lancaster University’s Richardson Institute is a collaborative project aimed at understanding the conditions that give rise to sectarian violence and proxy conflicts.

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Sepad Reports

Sectarianism as Plan B: Saudi-Iranian identity politics in the Syria Conflict

Saudi Arabia and Iran have both been deeply involved in the Syrian civil war from its beginning in 2011, each sponsoring rival sides. Both have utilised sectarian identity politics to further their goals and both have contributed to the growth of ...

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After years of proxy war, Saudi Arabia and Iran are finally squaring up in the open

Ever since Saudi Arabia executed Shia Cleric Nimr al-Nimr for terrorist offences, tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been escalating by the day. 
Relations between Riyadh and Tehran have been tense ever since the Islamic Republic ...

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Saudi and Iran: The Struggle to Shape the Middle East

Saudi Arabia and Iran: The Struggle to Shape the Middle East is the first report from SEPAD, theSectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianisation project, funded by Carnegie Corporation. The report examines the increasingly fractious rivalry between S...

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Events

Call for papers: ‘Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianisation Across the Middle East’ 28th Mar 2019
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Announcements

News: SEPAD receives funding from Carnegie Corporation of New York
News: SEPAD receives funding from Carnegie Corporation of New York Dr. Simon Mabon - 20th Aug 2018

The Richardson Institute is delighted to announce that it has received f...
Blog: Ontological Security and the Security of Sectarianism
Blog: Ontological Security and the Security of Sectarianism May Darwich - 3rd Sep 2018

In recent year, there has been an unprecedented increase in sectarianism...
Blog: Sectarianism in Not So Sectarian Places
Blog: Sectarianism in Not So Sectarian Places May Darwich - 3rd Sep 2018

There is wide consensus that the Middle East is currently plunged into s...
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SEPAD is supported by the following organisations

Carnegie Corporation of New York Lancaster University Richardson Institute The Foreign Policy Centre