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What Now for the Middle East?

SpeakerS:

Amy MacKinnon, National Security Reporter, Foreign Policy
Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar
Robin Wright, Distinguished Fellow, USIP-Wilson Center

With Lead Programming Partner

“The international community must push both sides, kicking and screaming, into a deal. The trauma on both sides is quite terrible, but it’s our job to ensure that peace is achieved.” Robin Wright
“We are going to be seeing even worse shades of human catastrophe in the region than the terrible pictures that we’ve been seeing all through the last year. It’s a very clear indication that the dominoes are falling.” Dr. Majed Al-Ansari

Key takeaways:

  • Current situation: The recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah has heightened tensions in the Middle East. Dr. Majed Al-Ansari emphasized the importance of containing the conflict to prevent a regional spillover, which could lead to a domino effect of violence and instability.
  • International Community’s role: Both speakers highlighted the necessity for the international community to step in and ensure that the conflict does not escalate further. Robin Wright pointed out that the interconnected nature of various conflicts in the region makes containment even more critical.
  • Civilian Casualties: The ongoing conflicts have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Dr. Al-Ansari stressed that stopping the loss of civilian lives is a prerequisite for any meaningful peace negotiations.
  • Generational repercussions: There are long-term psychological and social impacts of the conflict on future generations, not just in the Middle East but globally, including the potential for increased radicalization and a loss of hope among both Palestinian and Israeli populations.
  • Commitment to peace: Despite the bleak outlook, negotiations continue. Dr. Al-Ansari mentioned that countries like Qatar, the US, and Egypt are more committed to reaching a deal than the conflicting parties themselves.
  • Challenges in mediation: The high levels of animosity and trauma on both sides make mediation extremely challenging. The international community must push both sides towards a deal, even if it means doing so against their immediate inclinations.
  • Global connectivity of conflicts: Conflicts in the Middle East are interconnected with other global crises, such as those in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine. This interconnectedness strains the international community’s capacity to respond effectively.

Action items:

  • Shared responsibility: Encourage a collective approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing the shared responsibility of the international community in maintaining global peace and security. Some specific actions to foster this collective approach include:
        • Create and engage in platforms for dialogue between conflicting parties and international mediators to foster understanding and cooperation.
        • Encourage governments and international organizations to actively participate in mediation efforts to contain and resolve the conflict.
        • Strengthen alliances and partnerships between countries to address the interconnected nature of global conflicts.
  • Immediate relief efforts: Mobilize resources for humanitarian aid to address the immediate needs of civilians affected by the conflict.
  • Long-term support: Develop programs aimed at psychological and social rehabilitation for affected populations, particularly focusing on youth.
  • Combat misinformation: Implement initiatives to counteract mis- and disinformation that fuel societal divisions and conflict.
  • Cybersecurity measures: Enhance cybersecurity to protect democratic institutions and national security from digital threats.

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