Middle East: Continuity or Change?
The Hugh Leach Memorial Lecture
Sir William Patey KCMG LLD, 25 September 2025 14.00 BST
At the Royal Astronomical Society and Online
CLICK HERE TO ATTEND ONLINE
CLICK HERE TO ATTEND IN PERSON
Sir William’s talk will examine the current geopolitics of the Middle East from an historical perspective. The Middle East may appear to be in the process of profound change but there are many fundamental aspects that remain constant. He will examine how change and continuity cohabit the modern Middle East and offer comments on the choices leaders will face in the future.
Sir William Patey was a senior British diplomat until April 2012. He served as Ambassador to Afghanistan (2010-2012), to Saudi Arabia (2007-2010) to Iraq (2005-2006) and to Sudan (2002-2005). He was also Head of the Middle East Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1999-2002.
Since retiring from government service in 2012, he has become an international consultant and regular media commentator on Middle East affairs. He is currently Government and International Affairs adviser to Control Risks. He is a trustee of the Turquoise Mountain Trust and is a Vice-President of the Saudi British Society. He is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter University and Distinguished Fellow at New Westminster College, Vancouver. He was awarded a doctorate in law (honoris causa) by the University of Dundee in July 2016.
