A NWFZ or WMDFZ in the Middle East: a means to an end or an end in itself? (original) (raw)

Tiptoe , stride and leap : steps towards a WMD Middle East

2012

The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium is a network of independent non discussion of measures to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems within civil society, particularly among experts, researchers and academics. Any opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EU Non Proliferation Consortium or any of its individual institutes. Seminar to Promote Confidence Building and in

Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East: Here to Stay, CSS Analysis in Security Policy 2012, 107

In order to avoid enduring setbacks, rigorous groundwork will be required prior to and during a diplomatic meeting addressing nuclear issues within the Middle East. At the same time, structural factors render any prospect for regional disarmament premature. Resolving Iran’s nuclear file remains paramount, but a solution is not in sight. For Israel, the abolition of nuclear weapons appears neither necessary nor desirable. Given existing dynamics, the most plausible future regional developments are unlikely to encourage disarmament steps. More probable, upholding the existing state of affairs will prove challenging enough.

Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone: Rationale, Attitudes and Way Ahead

Convergence and confrontation from the Middle East to the Balkans in the 21st century, 2021

The 2021 events such as the announced Tenth Review Conference (RevCon) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), renewed Israeli-Palestinian conflict, confirmed use of chemical weapons in the conflicts in the region and frequent proposals for the new Biden administration to return to the JCPOA, raised the issue of the Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (MEWMDFZ) establishment high on the contemporary international agenda once again. The aim of this paper is to assess the prospects of the MEWMDFZ through the historical analysis of similar models, exploration of the rationale behind the MENWFZ/WMDFZ proposal since 1974 and its development through the subsequent decades, attitudes of key stakeholders and the possible way ahead. The authors employ historical analysis to present the evolution of the proposal on the MEWMDFZ, content analysis of the documents adopted on this issue and a comparative method to present the key stakeholders’ points of contention and draw conclusions from similar models such as existing NWFZs. The authors conclude that the MEWMD establishment will remain a “moving target”, but the necessary one in order to keep the momentum of the peace process, credibility of the main stakeholders’ non-proliferation policy for the Middle East and avoidance of the nuclear risks, as well as for the sake of instrumental tactical interest of states of the region. Keywords: Middle East WMDFZ, weapons of mass destruction, non-proliferation, disarmament, NPT, stability.

Strategic Implications of WMD Proliferation in the Middle East

Today a new kind of rivalry is shaping in the Middle East. This is mainly due to deep-rooted hostilities in the region and the increasing concern about the stockpiles of WMD in the Israeli arsenal. Adding Iran’s endeavor to acquire nuclear technology to this strategic equation, many of the Middle Eastern states are showing growing interests to acquire some kind of WMD. Considering the fact that acquisition of nuclear weapons is almost impossible under the present circumstances, interests for highly lethal but easier to acquire substances for use in chemical and biological weapons, are rising. Besides that, the Middle East continues to be on the top of the list for acquisition of conventional weapons and missile delivery systems.