“Even if you bring 10,000 synchrotrons, they're not going to bring peace” - Exploring SESAME through realist and liberal perspectives

Sammanfattning: Intergovernmental organizations can be found in all regions around the world, but in the Middle East they are a rare phenomenon. SESAME is a synchrotron light radiation facility located in Jordan governed by its eight member states: Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine, and Turkey. It has been promised as a project of science diplomacy, producing not only research, but also increased cooperation and understanding in the Middle East. While science diplomacy does seem promising, recent research suggests that it has not been as successful in the case of SESAME. This thesis explores the motives of the member states to be members of SESAME through realist and liberalist perspectives. By interviewing delegates of the member council, the thesis has concluded that improved science infrastructure is the main motive of the member states. Science diplomacy on the other hand was found to be more of an individual incentive and a method of achieving international funding. As the excitement of international cooperation has had an international shift towards a more nationalistic mindset, the hope of SESAME as a peace generator seems to slowly have left its premises.