© Valdai Discussion Club
The Middle East is one of the most turbulent regions of the world today. The current developments there are at odds with the revolutionary context seen three or four years ago. The region and a whole set of states are in a process of self-destruction.
The participants of the session pointed out the main hazard: the spiral of violence was revving up and gaining its own dynamic. The conflicts are ubiquitous and erupt on the basis of religious difference and between regional forces.
The US complicates the situation because it fails to match interests. The US and Europe have not learned the principle lesson: destruction of a regime leads to destruction of the state, bringing anarchy and strengthening the positions of ISIS and Al Qaeda. One of the experts noted the negative repercussions of the Arab Spring: Libya is in ruins, Yemen is in a deplorable state, the situation in Syria is critical. By all accounts, the fall of Syria would be a catastrophe for the whole Middle East region. Extremism may spread around the world if left unstopped. At the same time, military operations yield no results, they can continue forever. And yet, the West is not changing its approaches.
The participants of the session ascertained that Russia had become directly involved in the conflict on the territory of Syria by starting a military operation against the terrorist groups of ISIS. Although, Moscow was forced to make such a step to prevent aggravation of the situation in the region, it uses every opportunity for dialogue with the Syrian opposition to solve the conflict peacefully.
Iran has its own position. It wants support of terrorism to end. It supports Russia’s actions in Syria and encourages others to do the same. Israel, in its turn, considers Russia's conduct in the region responsible and cautious towards all actors in the Middle East. Israel and Russia are coordinating their efforts at the moment. On the other hand, Israel is worried that the new coalition with Iran and Syria would turn against its interests.
Many states are currently elaborating strategies of combating terrorist groups. However, the participants of the session were surprised that no one looked into the origins of ISIS. The organization is part of Islamic history, it had predecessors long before the formation of the Islamic State. According to experts, it is an internal problem transformed into a global one by external players. The organization has many followers in the Middle East and Europe. They include dedicated fanatics and people simply unsatisified with life in their countries. The ideology of the Islamic State seemed appealing to them, and ISIS was seen as a place where they could play a certain role.
Another regional problem touched upon during the discussion was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which had gone to the back burner in the context of the developments in Syria. A new upsurge in the protest movement has been ongoing in the area for several weeks, a new wave of violent clashes began.
Experts brought positive shifts in the region into view as well. The decision made on the Iranian nuclear programme, they believe, proves that parties can indeed sit at the negotiating table and reach a compromise.
The participants named the key conditions for improvement of the situation in the region:
• efforts should be focused on finding the sources of terrorist financing and terminating them;
• external forces should refrain from inconsiderate unilateral intervention, a multipolar approach engaging all parties in the negotiation process is needed.
Overall, experts reached a conclusion that there is still time left to reach a compromise and solve the problems through negotiations, but that would require immediate efforts of all the parties involved.
Iran has its own position. It supports Russia’s steps in Syria and encourages others to do the same.
Participants of the session have mentioned possible solutions needed to change the situation. The Syrian situation requires long-term obligations. Efforts should be focused on finding the sources of terrorist financing and ways to terminate them. That measure alone would end terrorism swiftly. A multipolar approach is needed, engaging all parties in the negotiation process.
According to experts, Islam should be respected, but when it crosses the line and takes a radicalized shape, the international community should unite to prevent such prospects.
The participants of the session pointed out the main hazard: the spiral of violence was revving up and gaining its own dynamic. The conflicts are ubiquitous and erupt on the basis of religious difference and between regional forces.
The US complicates the situation because it fails to match interests. The US and Europe have not learned the principle lesson: destruction of a regime leads to destruction of the state, bringing anarchy and strengthening the positions of ISIS and Al Qaeda. One of the experts noted the negative repercussions of the Arab Spring: Libya is in ruins, Yemen is in a deplorable state, the situation in Syria is critical. By all accounts, the fall of Syria would be a catastrophe for the whole Middle East region. Extremism may spread around the world if left unstopped. At the same time, military operations yield no results, they can continue forever. And yet, the West is not changing its approaches.
The participants of the session ascertained that Russia had become directly involved in the conflict on the territory of Syria by starting a military operation against the terrorist groups of ISIS. Although, Moscow was forced to make such a step to prevent aggravation of the situation in the region, it uses every opportunity for dialogue with the Syrian opposition to solve the conflict peacefully.
Iran has its own position. It wants support of terrorism to end. It supports Russia’s actions in Syria and encourages others to do the same. Israel, in its turn, considers Russia's conduct in the region responsible and cautious towards all actors in the Middle East. Israel and Russia are coordinating their efforts at the moment. On the other hand, Israel is worried that the new coalition with Iran and Syria would turn against its interests.
Many states are currently elaborating strategies of combating terrorist groups. However, the participants of the session were surprised that no one looked into the origins of ISIS. The organization is part of Islamic history, it had predecessors long before the formation of the Islamic State. According to experts, it is an internal problem transformed into a global one by external players. The organization has many followers in the Middle East and Europe. They include dedicated fanatics and people simply unsatisified with life in their countries. The ideology of the Islamic State seemed appealing to them, and ISIS was seen as a place where they could play a certain role.
Another regional problem touched upon during the discussion was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which had gone to the back burner in the context of the developments in Syria. A new upsurge in the protest movement has been ongoing in the area for several weeks, a new wave of violent clashes began.
Experts brought positive shifts in the region into view as well. The decision made on the Iranian nuclear programme, they believe, proves that parties can indeed sit at the negotiating table and reach a compromise.
The participants named the key conditions for improvement of the situation in the region:
• efforts should be focused on finding the sources of terrorist financing and terminating them;
• external forces should refrain from inconsiderate unilateral intervention, a multipolar approach engaging all parties in the negotiation process is needed.
Overall, experts reached a conclusion that there is still time left to reach a compromise and solve the problems through negotiations, but that would require immediate efforts of all the parties involved.
Iran has its own position. It supports Russia’s steps in Syria and encourages others to do the same.
Participants of the session have mentioned possible solutions needed to change the situation. The Syrian situation requires long-term obligations. Efforts should be focused on finding the sources of terrorist financing and ways to terminate them. That measure alone would end terrorism swiftly. A multipolar approach is needed, engaging all parties in the negotiation process.
According to experts, Islam should be respected, but when it crosses the line and takes a radicalized shape, the international community should unite to prevent such prospects.
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