Nikolay Kozhanov is Research Associate Professor at the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University, Qatar. His research interests are focused on the geopolitics of the Gulf hydrocarbons, Russian foreign policy in the Middle East as well as Iran’s economy and international relations. Mahfoud Amara is Associate Professor in Sport, Social sciences and Management in the Physical Education and Sport Science Department, College of Education at Qatar University, Qatar. Dr Amara’s work focuses on sport, business, culture, politics and society in the MENA region, and sport, cultural diversity and Muslim communities in the West. Mahjoob Zweiri is Director of the Gulf Studies Center and Professor in Contemporary Politics and History of the Middle East at Qatar University, Qatar. Prof Zweiri has more than 80 publications in the areas of Iran and Contemporary Middle East History and Politics. He tweets @mzweiri.