Challenges and Dilemmas; National Perspectives - West Asia Muhammad Abbas Hassan Visiting Faculty – National Defence University, Pakistan Senior Research Associate – Center for Regional Stability, Pakistan

Introduction 18 Countries Over 4 % of World Population Over 800 Billion barrels of Oil Over 2800 Trillion Cubic Feet of Gas Home to Multiple Conflicts Foreign Policy said that the top three conflicts in 2017 are from west asia 35 billion barells per year. Enough for next 20 years

Countries of West Asia Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Cyprus Georgia Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Lebanon Oman Palestine Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey United Arab Emirates Qatar Yemen

Per Capita Income Qatar: $ 59,330 UAE: $ 37,622 Kuwait: $ 28,975 Bahrain: $ 22,354 Saudi Arabia: $ 20,028 Oman: $ 14,982 Source: CIA World Fact Book

The Power Players

Violent Conflicts The Syrian Conflict & ISIS The Iraq Civil War & ISIS Saudi – Iran Proxy Saudi – Yemeni Conflict Unrest in Turkey Israel – Palestine Conflict Brewing in Bahrain Boycott of Qatar

The Root Causes of Conflict Lack of Good Governance Lack of Coexistence Lack of Accountability Abuse of Religion Lack of Democracy The Perpetual Conflict

Challenges

Challenges – Cont’d Terrorism Drop in Oil Prices Russian – Turkish Relations Climate Change

Dilemmas The unsuitable allies The division of West Diplomatic failures Refugee Crisis

Today Unstable Uncertain Divided Volatile  A totally different West Asia confronts the world. It is Unstable Uncertain Divided Volatile

Conclusion No light at the end of Tunnel Need of a clear strategy Solution for Palestine – Israel Conflict