The Middle East Regional Security and Cooperation Dialogues
IGCC and the UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED) jointly conduct research and provide educational programs on matters of political, economic, and diplomatic development in the Middle East. Guided by UCLA Professor Steven Spiegel, IGCC’s Middle East programs explore issues of regional security and enable conflict resolution. Participants in the Middle East Regional Security and Cooperation Dialogues engage the Middle East’s most critical issues, enabling communication where there might otherwise be only misunderstanding.
History and Objectives
Since the Madrid Framework peace talks lost momentum in the 1990s, UCLA’s Regional Security and Cooperation Dialogues have filled the void in providing a consistent forum for high-level, unofficial dialogue. For more than 20 years, this unique Track II approach has brought together thousands of regional leaders and experts in a setting structured for productive, off-the-record brainstorming and idea sharing.
Format
Biannual meetings average 300 participants selected from a well-established network of professionals from every country in the region, as well as Europe and the United States. Small working groups center on key policy-related subjects for the region, including Arab–Israeli issues, Gulf security, Mediterranean security, regional business and economics, technology cooperation, regional strategic cooperation, democratic culture, and media.
IGCC hosts separate, unofficial security dialogues that convene retired and active-duty military officials from the Middle East to engage on regional security issues. These meetings offer an opportunity for private discussions on specific, diplomatic concerns and space for one-on-one conversations. The project also convenes an annual public conference, supported by the Qatari government, on key economic topics in the Middle East.
In addition to these meetings, IGCC and CMED sponsor special task forces on outstanding diplomatic or development challenges, allowing participants to take advantage of timely political opportunities. The project also publishes a peer-reviewed book series from Routledge Press.
Policy
