Strategic Dialogue in Rome: We Join MENA Stability Forum Ahead of Rome MED

21-22 November 2018  -  Rome, Italy

In a gathering ahead of the 2018 Rome MED, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj joined other prominent figures at the Policy Planner’s Forum on Strategic Stability in the MENA: Deflating Tensions, Building Bridges. Held in Rome on November 21-22, the event, organized in cooperation with the Mediterranean Strategy Group of the German Marshall Fund, brought together experts and officials to address pivotal issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The Rome MED, an initiative by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), focuses on rethinking approaches to the Mediterranean region. It strives to introduce innovative ideas and strategies, fostering a “positive agenda” that addresses both security and socio-economic challenges.

The forum’s agenda was packed with critical discussions. Day 1 featured a peace game, in partnership with foreign policy and ISPI, allowing participants to navigate through various scenarios. This game, used globally by governments and corporations, aims to find sustainable solutions to humanitarian crises and conflicts, and to establish lasting peace.

Day 2 of the forum was especially crucial, with two sessions that delved into pressing regional issues. The first session addressed the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and its impact on nuclear proliferation and the geopolitical balance in the MENA. It highlighted the growing divergence between the U.S. and Europe over this key security matter, as the EU, Russia, and China attempt to preserve the deal.

The second session on Day 2 focused on the evolving situation in Syria. Discussions revolved around the challenges posed by the Assad regime's consolidation of power, the future of U.S. involvement, humanitarian aid access, and the prospects for a political settlement. The session emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to mitigate the risks of regional and external conflicts and to shape a stable future for the Eastern Mediterranean and Levant.

This forum, bringing together around 40 specialists from various sectors under the Chatham House rule, aimed to foster an open and constructive dialogue. The discussions aimed to informally exchange perspectives on the future of the Iran deal post-U.S. withdrawal and the endgame in Syria, critically affecting the strategic stability in the Middle East and the relationship between the United States, Europe, and regional actors.

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