The Security Landscape in the Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities

As several protracted conflicts in the Middle East have reached their all-time high over the last three years, the region is witnessing a far-reaching overhaul of its security landscape. Against the backdrop of a regional arms race fuelled by conflicts and destabilisation, hard security and short-term considerations take precedence over long-term efforts to build efficient and accountable national security sectors in the region.

Drawing on military and diplomatic perspectives, this discussion will examine how recent developments are paving the way for a reconfiguration of the region’s security arrangements and assess the avenues that are opening up to the regional and global key players. The exchange will also build on the expertise of DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance to explore how effective and accountable governance of the security sector can contribute to regional stability and predictability.