Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 08/2010

Building Cooperation in the Eastern Middle East

Paul Salem

July 2010

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Abstract

As the United States withdraws its forces from Iraq, there will be competition for regional influence by states in the eastern Middle East, including Turkey, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the rest of the Gulf countries. A formal framework for communication and cooperation-similar to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe-could reduce the risks of conflict and encourage stability and economic development in this tense but critical location, according to a paper by Paul Salem.