The 5th International Forum “The Middle East: From Violence to Security” of the Valdai Discussion Club took place in Moscow on 25-6 February 2016. Founded in 2004, the Valdai Club became famous as one of the prestigious arenas for exchanging views on current international issues, representing opinions and approaches of distinguished scholars from universities and analytical centers from more than 60 countries around the world. The panel sessions of the 5th Valdai Forum included presentations of well-known experts in political, social and asian studies, officials and diplomats from Russia, China, India, from the USA and the countries of Europe and the Middle East. Among the key issues covered in the papers of the participants were problems of political and social developments in the Middle East and Northern Africa, the prospects of restoring peace and stability in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and the growing role of the international community in maintaining regional and global security. The Middle East, as a cradle of world civilizations and religions, has always played a considerable part in the history of mankind, forming an important crossroads of international economic and geopolitical contacts. With the 21st century a new phase of reconstruction and redistribution of forces started in the region. These new trends were analyzed in a solid collection of works “A Thunderstorm in the East. How Will the World Respond to the ISIS Threat?”, represented by the academic director of the Foundation for the Development and Support of the Valdai Club, a well known Russian expert in foreign affairs Fyodor Lukyanov. Refs 6.