On April 28, Saturday, the Sejong Institute held a special session within the Spring Academic Conference of the Korean Association of Middle Eastern Studies for 2018. Chaired by Professor Chung Sang Ryul of Myongji University, the Sejong Institute Special Session was held on the topic of “Changing International Security Environment and Political Instability in the Middle East. Sejong Research Fellows Park Jee Kwang and Lee Seong-hyon presented on the U.S. strategy on the Middle East, the Islamic extremists' responses, politics in the Middle East, changes in the regional and international security environment, along with Professor Kim Kang Suk (Dankook University) and Professor Sung Il Kwang (Konkuk University). These were followed by comments from Professor Keum Sang Moon (Pai Chai University), Professor Paik Seung Hoon (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Dr. Cho Sang-hyun (ROK Army Military History Institute),  and Professor Nam Ok-jeong (Dankook University). Concerning relevant topics, the participants had an in-depth discussion.