
Deconstructing the Changing Middle East Security Architecture
Policy Paper Series
About
As part of the conference proceedings for the 2nd annual Middle East Strategy Forum (MESF), Institute for Peace and Diplomacy (IPD) is publishing a series of policy-oriented papers by a diverse group of prominent experts on various strategic challenges facing the volatile region of the Middle East.
In recent years, the Middle East region has undergone transformative changes with unprecedented geostrategic developments that are swiftly shaping a new regional security order. From the impacts of the Russian war in Ukraine and climate change on water and food security to the expansion of the Abraham Accords and final efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, countries are reassessing their foreign and defence strategies to adapt to the new geopolitical environment on both regional and international levels.
At this critical juncture, it is more important than ever to provide a strategic platform for experts, from the region and beyond, to engage in constructive discussion and share their foresight and nuanced ideas for a more stable and inclusive Middle East where countries can co-exist in peace while strengthening their national resilience in the face of many shared challenges across the region.
Whether discussing these topics at MESF in Ottawa or analyzing them more in-depth in form of policy papers, IPD is proud to have established this Canadian-led platform for strategic debates and constructive exchanges about the future of regional peace and security in the Middle East.
In this effort, IPD acknowledges the invaluable support of sponsors and donors including the Canadian Department of National Defence (MINDS Program) in particular, which has been key in sustaining and expanding this strategy-focused platform on the Middle East.
Project Director

Younes Zangiabadi
Executive Vice-President, Institute Peace & Diplomacy
From This Project

Charting a New Path for Canadian Engagement with the Middle East
Canada and Canadians’ interests lie in a secure and stable Middle East guaranteed by regional peace and prosperity. Canada needs a structured and contextually appropriate Middle East strategy that speaks to a broader foreign policy vision.

Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran and Regional Perceptions
If the ultimate objective is a stable and secure Middle East – the US, Europe and other like-minded governments need to reassure partners in the Gulf of their commitment to supporting the resolution of other regional concerns, independent of the outcomes of nuclear diplomacy with Iran.

The Iranian Regional Deterrence Strategy in the New Middle East
Iran, a regional heavyweight in the Middle East and an outcast in the US-led regional order since 1979, has long struggled to overcome the limits of the US containment policy and its direct military threats against the country. In fact, Iran’s counter-containment and deterrence strategies are crafted to defuse such threat perceptions, driving Iran to favour a more indigenous regional order against the priorities of the great powers.

Climate and Water Security: Opportunities for Diplomacy and Cooperation in the Middle East
Given the current status quo of how MENA is handling its water scarcity along with the compounding effect of climate change on the region’s water resources, there are plenty of opportunities to improve water security through cooperative actions, amongst the countries of the region and between the region and the Global North.

Afghanistan and the Taliban’s Second Coming: The Need for a Concerted International Response
A year after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the international community is still grappling with formulating a response to the situation in the country. A central issue is how to reconcile counter-terrorism with the urgency to support the people of Afghanistan. This dilemma will persist as long as the Taliban hold exclusive control over the Afghan state.

The Benefits of Counterterrorism Restraint in a Diminished Terrorism Threat Environment
Today’s international terrorism threat is not “blinking red,” making our counterterrorism response less clear. Based on all indicators, international terrorism remains a problem but does not seem quite as urgent. So, what should America and its Western partners do about it in our seemingly diminished terrorism threat environment today where the decision to employ military power beyond drone strikes is cloudy?

The Abraham Accords: Iceberg Surfacing for Peace and Security in the Middle East
The Abraham Accords were a formal manifestation of the true underlying reality in the Middle East, which until their signature was poorly represented by explicit diplomacy and declaration. Their main importance is recognizing Israel’s natural and self-evident role in the region, expanding the economic relations with it, and shedding light on the non-public security relations already in place, augmented by Israel’s move to US CENTCOM.