At the Istanbul NATO Summit in 2004, the GCC countries were invited to form a partnership with NATO in the framework of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, which aimed at enhancing security and stability throughout the region. Dr. Ashraf Keshk looks back at the history of the initiative and at the various successes and future challenges.
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Under the patronage of His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court, Derasat celebrated its tenth anniversary on December 14th, held under the theme “from vision to reality”.
Defence against cyber attacks on national security infrastructure and the use of cyber technology in warfare are discussed in this follow on article from the Middle East Military Technology Conference 2019 (MEMTEC) by Dr Ashraf Keshk.
The importance of localizing military technology production to sustainable development is discussed in this article by Dr Ashraf Keshk.
As part of a joint initiative to develop the State of Arab Cities 2020 report, a regional consultation workshop was held in Manama on 20 November 2019 supported by Derasat, the UNDP in Bahrain and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme Regional Office for Arab States (UN-Habitat ROAS).
The escalation in regional threats brings focus to the need for secure, stable states to maintain a stable regional power balance; Dr. Ashraf discusses the importance of collaborations and at how this is being implemented in the GCC region.
Regional conflict brings with it the ever-present risk of environmental disaster such as oil spills. Dr Ashraf Keshk looks at the preparedness in Bahrain and the GCC countries and at the importance of cooperation and training to combating future disaster.
The vital part simulation plays in preparing for defence and asymmetric threats is discussed in another follow up article to the recent Middle East Military Technology Conference 2019 (MEMTEC).
A research workshop on ‘Women and Development in the Gulf’ was hosted in partnership with the American Political Science Association (APSA), and the University of Tennessee, USA at Derasat on November 6-7, 2019.
Following the US-led maritime security meeting hosted by Bahrain last week, Dr. Ashraf Keshk considers Bahrain’s role in the coalition and in broader maritime alliances.