ASF 2006 panellists evaluate emerging regional alliances and political landscape

Dubai: 5 December, 2006 - The past 18 months has seen the emergence of new alliances in the Middle East, precipitated by Hamas' ascension to power in Palestinian legislative elections to Hizballah's success in its latest war against Israel this past summer.  Held at the Madinat Jumeirah, the session - Shifting Sands: The Changing Alliances in the Arab World - was one in a series organized by the Arab Strategy Forum (ASF), which runs from 4-6 December. 

Today's session provided a platform for prominent thinkers and political figures to discuss the changing political landscape in the Middle East and the forging of new alliances, with the Syrian-Hizballah-Iranian axis and the rise of Iranian power figuring prominently.

Referring to his country's relations with Iran, Imad Moustapha, Ambassador of Syria to the United States of America, USA, argued that, "because of events in Iran with the 1979 revolution, there was a policy shift that aligned it with Syria, primarily because of the centrality of Arab-Israeli conflict to both."

Moderated by Hamdy Qandeel, Presenter, Dubai TV, UAE, the session set out to answer key questions on the durability and impact of new alliances and the reaction of moderate Arab regimes within this new politico-strategic context.

Rami G. Khouri, Editor-at-Large, The Daily Star, Lebanon, assessed the current alliances as "temporary" and "not alliances, but an 'alignment' in response to the perceived common threat - the US and Israel".  Khouri suggested this alignment is a short-lived one, since none of its players have any answers to socio-economic problems in the Middle East:  "None have come up with 'impressive political systems' based on rule of law and accountability."

The rise of Iranian regional power was the point of departure for Vali R. Nasr, Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Affairs, USA.  Hizballah's success against Israel in its latest war is seen as a push for Iran's ambitions since its alliance was "holding all the cards, and not the governments that 'mattered'", referring to US allied Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.  Nasr continued:  "Iran has been a focal point for alliances in the region, showing quite clearly that everyone is watching Iran."

The ASF, held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has attracted more than 600 distinguished participants and 115 worldwide speakers, and is a vehicle for change and a key driver in the reform and policy shaping of governmental and business organisations throughout the Arab world.

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About the Arab Strategy Forum 2006
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the fourth ASF aims to create an environment that is as extraordinary as it is essential to the Arab world. It connects global and regional decision-makers for a strategic purpose--to engage in a hands-on, comprehensive program along four critical program tracks; CEO Agenda, Socio-Economic, Governance and Arab Society.

The three-day program of working sessions will bring together Arab and international heads of state and government with more than 600 of the most influential leaders from business, government and civil society from the Arab world and the rest of the world.

Being developed around the theme "Creating Opportunity from Change", ASF builds on its prestigious track record to propose an innovative, new format. It aims to nurture a unique type of community that will develop concrete strategies that tackle the most pressing issues faced by the Arab world today.

Through a powerful network, facilitated working sessions, state-of-the-art technology, exclusive knowledge and informal platforms, the ASF, being held on the 4th to the 6th of December 2006, will provide participants with the tools they need to create opportunities from change in their own environments, and so to make a crucial difference to the future of the Arab world.

For More Information please contact:
Maryam Al Obaid
Tel: +971 4 318 9245
Fax: +971 4 330 4000
Mobile: +97150 5510 365
e-mail: maryam.alobaid@teo.ae
Website: www.asf2006.ae

Sam Dulka
Tel: +971 4 3613333
Fax: +971 4 3688001
Mobile: +97150 5507053
e-mail: samuel.dulka@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2006