Mohamed Ezz‏‏

One of the key trends that has been shaping the security landscape of the Middle East since the beginning of 2025 is the concerted effort by state actors, as well as certain regional and international powers, to disarm militias who have become major disruptors of regional affairs. Some observers argue that the most prominent feature of the first quarter of the 21st century is the rise of non-state armed actors, many of whom now resemble parallel armies, possessing economic resources and engaging in state-like diplomatic relations with both regional and international powers. These actors have come to be described by terms such as "quasi-state," "de facto authority," or even "a state within a state."

How Disarming Militias Could Reshape Middle Eastern Security

Undermining Influence:

Traditional military and political transformations are no longer the most significant threats to the security and stability of Middle Eastern countries. Instead, non-traditional threats stemming from demographics, economic problems, and health crises, such as the spread of pandemics, have escalated. These threats now pose an unprecedented risk to the foundations of individual and community security in the region's countries. This is especially true given the exceptional surge in the spread of certain epidemic diseases in some regional states, which are expected to increase in light of cross-regional labor flows and interregional migration movements, amid rising multiple sovereignties and border fluidity among many countries in the region.

How Do Deteriorating Health Conditions Reflect Middle East Interactions in 2024?

Reflective Mirror:

Openness to Iraq on the part of several major Arab powers in the Middle East, such as Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, significantly increased in the last third of last year and the first third of 2021. This has been reflected in summits held between political leaders and the organization of mutual visits to strengthen security relationships, economic interests, and energy sector understandings. There is parallel interest from international powers—especially the United States, Russia, France, and Germany—in what is taking place in Iraq, both in its domestic affairs and foreign relations. This situation raises the question of why Iraq’s importance is increasing at this time vis-à-vis the foreign policies of regional and international powers.

Mohamed Ezz‏‏

Mohamed Ezz‏‏

متجر MIR

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