The Middle East - The Changing Strategic Environment

Research Summary

q       The Report is the summary of the issues discussed at the conference held at the RAND Corporation on June 26-28, 2005, hosted by the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), and the Center for Middle East Public Policy centered on the changing strategic environment in the Middle East.

q       As the first key issue, democracy and stability in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Palestine, and Israel are analyzed in depth with reference to the typical conditions and circumstances prevailing in each of these regions.

q       The report proposes positive inputs for economic and political reformations in each of these countries besides suggesting solutions for improving peace and international relations and remedies for several cross-border issues.

q       An examination of the Iran’s nuclear program in the report comprises the outcome of the agreements between European Troika and Iran; the nation’s nuclear ambitions; the improving coordination between the U.S., Europe and Russia; and the implications of Iran’s nuclear acquisition in the region.

q       One of the vital areas of the report is highlights the prospects for stability and change in the Middle East, NATO’s future role, and the role of multilateral institutions in enhancing security and stability.

q       A considerable part of the report highlights the strategies to counter Islamic terrorism by throwing light on the growth of radical Muslim groups, threats by Muslim extremists, and an analysis of the origin and nature of activists.

q       The key suggestions to counter Islamic terrorism listed by the report are controlling the most virulent activities, preventing the spread of Islamist militancy among high-risk, high-value targets in the Muslim world, and remedying the contributing conditions in the Muslim world.

q       The final section of the report is devoted to discussing the developments in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Special references have been made with regard to the internal and external pressures in these countries for social, and political changes.

q       The report points out the implications of the U.S. and European policies and efforts towards reforms in the above said areas.

q       With a comprehensive, in depth analysis of the changing environment in the Middle East, the report has been able to throw enough light on this issue.

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