The Middle East in the Shadow of Afghanistan and Iraq
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Authors: F. Stephen Larrabee
Year of
publication: 2003
Number
of pages: 20
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Research Summary
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The report presents the proceedings of the conference entitled “The Middle East in the Shadow of Afghanistan and Iraq”, conducted by RAND’s Center for Middle East Public Policy (CMEPP) and the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) in Geneva in 2003.
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The key issue of the report is the impact of the Iraq war on terrorism and consequently on the security of the Middle East.
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The report notes that as a result of the Iraq war, al-Quada’s leadership and capabilities have been weakened. However, this does not presuppose the demise of the organization.
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The war has mutilated the base of terrorist operations from Afghanistan; however, the other dangerous half is still capable of functioning from Pakistan.
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The vital discussion of the report analyses the nature of al-Quada as a terrorist organization. Besides judging over the two standpoints whether it is a centralized or diffused organization, it is noted that the jihadist tendencies have been coupled with a desire for revenge under the current scenario.
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The report analyses the various dimensions of the organization including financial back up, leadership, and military position, including a range of other important aspects in determining its capabilities.
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The conference voiced its stand that the war on terrorism needs to be strategically and ideologically different in its approach thereby integrating political, economic, and military means.
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Noting the current scenario and future prospects of Iran and Iraq, the conference highlighted the importance of US policy in determining and shaping the future of these states.
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The impact of the Iraq war on several Middle East countries like Syria, Turkey, Jordan, and Arabian Peninsula are elaborately dealt in the report in addition to examining its impact on transatlantic relations.
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The recommendation of the conference stresses the importance of reinstating the damaged transatlantic alliances and the necessity of a joint-effort in future to work towards reconstructing these states.
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