Building Regional Security In The Middle East

Discussions on regional security were initiated in the Middle East in 1992, as part of the Middle East peace process. The collapse of the Oslo process and other regional developments in the latter half of the 1990s have diminished hopes that the initial gains made in this direction might further develop, as violence has again become the primary mode of effecting political changes in the region. On the backdrop of this somewhat dismal current reality in the Middle East the rationale for this volume is that research into regional security structures should nevertheless be pursued. When looking at the long term process of creating regional security, setbacks are not unlikely. The articles that make up this collection focus on the problems that have been encountered, and possible directions for getting regional efforts back on track. A special issue of the Journal of Strategic Studies

Middle Eastern politics of the 1990s have been characterized by a drive towards peace. Whether this is successful or not will depend on the negotiating process. These articles discuss the challenges, and provide some practical advice on how risks of failure could be avoided.

The Middle East is experiencing unprecedented political turmoil, violence, and state failure. It also suffers from a unique deficit in its peace and security architecture, even compared to other fractious or unevenly developed regions. Key stakeholders have failed to address the lack of formal structures, even though chronic conflict and sharp crises regularly underscore the deadly and destabilizing consequences. In this volume, established researchers explore the possibilities for creating security architecture and institutions to facilitate cooperation and mitigate the risks of conflict escalation. These studies examine past and current efforts to undertake regional security dialogue; approaches to collective security; confidence-building measures that can decrease tensions and establish precedents for security cooperation; non-Arab regional actors and outside parties and their role in regional security efforts; and the shape and scope of a future regional security system. A grim urgency marks the current historical moment. The Middle East gravely needs new ideas to advance regional security. While crisis and conflict have exacerbated threats and fears, they have also created opportunities for carefully crafted prescriptions and alternative security frameworks.

This is an accessible yet critical analysis of regional security in the Middle East. Using a non-realist approach, Bilgin provides a comprehensive study of the past, present and future of security in the region. She also considers the question of identity formation, explaining how and why various regional representations came into being, and explor

This book provides an accessible yet critical analysis of regional security in the Middle East. Using a non-realist approach, Bilgin provides a comprehensive study of the pasts, presents and futures of security in the region.