In today’s world, security is multifaceted and multidimensional. To ensure sustainable security on national and regional levels, one must address all its aspects in a comprehensive manner to reach equilibrium. The perceptions, apprehensions, and security concerns of all countries are intertwined to such an extent that it is impractical to consider the national security of each one independently. It is virtually impossible and even undesirable to provide security for one without providing security for the others. Today, West Asia is at a sensitive crossroads. It is experiencing multitudes of crises, ranging from terrorism, illegal interventions by trans-regional powers, failed states, economic constraints, and increasing security and military rivalries, begging a joint effort by all for a collective solution. The regional order of West Asia is undergoing significant change. The balance of power in the region, and the relations that determine this balance, are largely vague and uncertain. Under the circumstances, regional security challenges have become larger, more numerous, and increasingly complex. Concurrently, the abilities of both regional and trans-regional governments in facing these challenges unilaterally are on the decline. On an extra-regional level, the security order in West Asia is also witnessing change due to transformations in the international system, the role of trans-regional actors, the nature and function of regionalism, and the nature and form of trans-regional threats. These overall changes have turned the security order of the new emerging West Asia region into a vital agenda. Thus, countries in West Asia are faced with the critical decision of drawing up a security order compatible with the political and security realities of their region.

 

As one of the most influential regional powers, the IR of Iran shoulders the responsibility of having a comprehensive understanding of the security order taking shape in West Asia, because maintaining its regional status and national security depends on recognizing and shaping a sustainable order in this area. Establishing such security and stability requires the recognition and implementation of several concepts by its influential actors. In the first instance, a sustained regional security order demands an all-encompassing definition of security threats. Secondly, sustained regional security in West Asia must have a multilateral approach. Thirdly, sustained regional security requires long-term strategic planning. And fourthly, an exogenous security order, especially of an hegemonic pattern, does not provide for regional and national security in West Asia. To the contrary, it is one of the most important causes of insecurity and instability in itself. A detailed, scientific study of these issues can be a significant contribution to sustained peace and security in Wes Asia. A security conference brings together executive officers and experts from around the world to work together and research ways of attaining this noble objective. Following the successful organization of the 1st Tehran Security Conference on 12 December 2016, the second conference entitled “Regional security in West Asia – Challenges and Emerging Trends” was planned to address this important issue. The first conference was held at the two scientific-research and political-strategic levels. Nine scientific seminars took place during the two months of November and December in universities and research centers in Iran and overseas. The political-strategic conference took place on 8 January 2017 with the participation of prominent scholars and senior political and security officials from home and abroad. The most important findings of these seminars have been printed in several volumes and are presented to the scientific community in this work.

 

The most prominent findings of the conference entitled “West Asia in a Post-Western Era: Challenges of the Transitional Period” was held on 7 September 2017 in Beirut, in association with the Lebanese Center for Strategic Studies and Documents Center. This can be summarized as follows: “Wes Asia is witnessing a transitional period of violence and disorder, the negative destructive impacts of which is evident on a regional and international level at a time when the international order is entering a post-Western era. Such a transition creates challenges due to the resulting void created by a Europe backing down in the face of US aggressive policies and, in addition to its own withdrawal, it is seeking to prevent the strengthening of influential rival powers in the region. It seems that this transitional period will end with the emergence of a new regional order and the redefinition of interests, roles, and equilibriums. The Axis of Resistance is a main actor in West Asian equations that considers the present security order established here as the basis of recent crises. It seeks to establish a new endogenous security order based on the real needs and security requirements of countries in West Asia.”

 

The “Arms Trends and Regional Security in West Asia” seminar which took place at Shahid Behesthi University on Wednesday 15 November 2017, can be summarized as follows: “A power and security vacuum, concerns about the use of unconventional weapons, the policies and actions of the great powers, and regional coalitions and the existence of terrorist groups, have all laid the ground for the sale of more weapons in West Asia. Other than their geographical proximity, regional countries have no other important criteria for the creation of a regional security order. Moreover, due to their security dependence on trans-regional powers, most countries in the region look to the outside world for their security; the arms race can be analyzed from this perspective.”

 

Some of the most important achievements of the seminar entitled “Emerging Identities and Regional Security in West Asia”, which took place on 3 December 2017 at the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations in association with Andisheh Sazan Nour Strategic Studies, are as follows: “The doctrine of resistance has led to the strengthening of the ethnic and national pillars of nation-states in this region in recent years, inspired by the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and the emergence of new thoughts and identities in West Asia, especially in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon. Of course, to challenge these authentic emerging identities, extremist and violent identities such as the takfiri current, were also created; countering its expansion is vital to security of West Asia.”

The seminar “Major Powers and Regional Security in West Asia” took place on 11 December 2017 at the National Defense and Strategic Research University, with the following findings: “The Islamic Revolution, the 8-year imposed war, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the events following 9/11, transformed West Asia to the “heartland” of the world. For as long as the region is rich in its valuable resources, major world powers will maintain their presence in West Asia. Intervention by major powers in West Asia has had two conflicting consequences. On the one hand, an Axis of Resistance has been formed with its own ideals and beliefs, challenging these powers. On the other hand, such interventions have led to the formation of extremist and takfiri groups which have made the region highly unstable and insecure.”

 

The results of the seminar “Terrorism, Extremism and Regional Security in West Asia” held on 12 December 2017 at the Foreign Office Institute for Political & International Studies in association with the Strategic Studies Institute, can be summarized as follows: “Terrorism and extremism have changed the strategic approach of West Asia into a militaristic one and the escalation of security costs has led to the formation of unreliable alliances and the suspension of regional order in West Asia. The most important impact of this phenomenon has been the transformation of the issue of development and backwardness into the issue of identity reconstruction in the region. Of course, as mentioned previously, the intervention of trans-regional powers in the affairs of countries in the region is one of the important causes and factors for the emergence and spread of terrorism and extremism in West Asia.”

Some of the most important findings of the seminar entitled “Regional Security and Governance in West Asia” held on 16 December 2017 at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, in association with the Strategic Studies Center of the President’s Office, and Tehran Abrar Moaser Institute, include: “Much of the threats in West Asia are the result of inefficient rule. Hence, security policy-making at national and regional levels must be made and enforced based on the principles of good governance. Especially, providing security for the people based on respect, dignity, and honesty plays a decisive role in providing and maintaining regional security in West Asia.”

 

Some of the findings at the seminar “Communications Revolution in the Virtual Space and Regional Security in West Asia” held on 17 December 2017 a the National Intelligence and Security University of Imam Mohammad Baqir (AS), can be summarized as follows: “The dominance of Western, developed countries over the cyberspace and digital technologies is also their dominance over the countries who use these technologies, because they have the initiative. In this context, the IR of Iran must endeavor to raise the standards and technical specifications of its cyber security, localize the country’s technology and information networks infrastructures, present its upstream, strategic documents for its cyberspace, and strengthen its cyber diplomacy.”

The most important findings of the seminar “Economic Development and Regional Security in West Asia” held on 18 December 2017 at the Allameh Tabatabaei University in association with Tadbir Eghtessad Institute, are as follows: “Economic security is one of the most important aspects of regional security, because military security is also affected by economic security and development. On national and international levels, economic insecurity leads to political and social insecurity, and ultimately to military insecurity. Much of the emerging challenges in West Asia emanate from economic insecurity and the threats posed by underdevelopment, poverty, and deprivation. Therefore, security is the basis of economic development and an all-out effort must be made to attract foreign investment in West Asia by establishing sustained security. To this end, the capabilities and economic efficiencies of countries play a significant role in sustaining peace and security; this, in turn, requires the cooperation of all regional and international actors and organs.”

 

And last, but not least, the seminar entitled “Environmental Hazards and Regional Security in West Asia” held on 19 December 2017 at the University of Tehran, can be summarized as such: “The traditional, fragmented approach to national and regional security must change. Environmental crises, especially the water crisis, must come to the forefront of security priorities in West Asia as this a common threat. As environmental problems know no political boundaries, their management requires regional cooperation within the framework of a multilateral environmental diplomacy.”

 

Prof. Seyed Jalal Dehghani Firuzabadi