European security and the Middle East peace process

A number of European institutions, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union, and NATO, have recently launched Middle East Initiatives. There are diverse objectives and motivations for these programs, but in general they reflect the realization that the security and stability of Europe are linked to events in the Middle East. The process of developing a regional security framework for the Middle East must proceed carefully, and expectations must be tempered by a realistic understanding of the threats to stability. The major factors in the Middle East include unstable political and social systems in many states in the region, historic hatreds and intolerance, a readiness to resort to violence and random terrorism, and large military forces in close proximity. Instability in the Middle East can spill over and affect European interests and security. -from Author