DOCSLIB.ORG

Natural Gas in the Eastern Mediterranean: the Coal and Steel of the 21St Century?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Natural Gas in the Eastern Mediterranean: the Coal and Steel of the 21St Century? EMERGING LEADERS PERSPECTIVES Natural Gas in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Coal and Steel of the 21st Century? By Kevin Johnson, Alex Ross, Endy Zemenides June 2015 Executive summary play as important a role in the region as coal and steel played in powering European integration. US strategic Over the past decade, significant natural gas deposits interests will be advanced by such regional coopera- have been found in the Levant Basin of the eastern tion, and the United States can play a key role in (a) Mediterranean. A 2010 US Geological Survey estimat- advancing the commercial viability of eastern Medi- ed that the Levant Basin may contain undiscovered terranean gas fields, (b) securing the resources, and (c) oil resources of 1.7 billion barrels and undiscovered developing regional structures. natural gas resources of 122 trillion cubic feet. In the short term, already commercially viable gas fields in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Israel and Cyprus will transform the economies of those states and promote their energy independence. These resources could also bolster Egypt and Jordan, where energy shortages could threaten the regimes. In the medium and long term, the energy resources of the eastern Mediterra- nean could help reduce Europe’s energy dependence on Russia to a degree. Perhaps the most intriguing prospect these resources present is the development of a structure for regional cooperation that promotes peace in this volatile region. Energy cooperation has already become the basis of unprecedented relations between Israel and Cyprus, and also between Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. There are several indications that it could significantly contribute to the reunification of Cyprus, a lessening of Israeli-Arab tensions, and to better Greco-Turkish and Israeli-Turkish relations. Eastern Mediterranean natural gas can conceivably THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS – 1 The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization. All statements of fact and expressions of opinion con- tained in this report are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs or of the project funders. Copyright © 2015 by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. This report may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that copying permitted by sections 107 and 108 of the US Copyright Law and excerpts by reviewers for the public press), without written permission from the publisher. For further information about The Chicago Council or this study, please write to The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100, Chicago IL, 60604, or visit The Chicago Council’s website at www.thechicagocouncil.org. Table of Contents Executive summary . 1 Introduction . 4 How much is at stake? . 4 Geopolitical benefits . 6 The case of Israel and Cyprus . 6 Integrating Arab regimes: Egypt and Jordan . 7 Geopolitical challenges . 8 Middle East peace, or the lack of it . 8 Turkey: Making “win-win” impossible? . 8 The way forward: Laying the foundations for a true community . 9 Speed things up . 10 Get serious about infrastructure . 10 Form an institution . 11 Don’t stop at gas . 12 The Emerging Leaders Program . 13 Acknowledgments . 13 Author biographies . 14 Endnotes . 15 Bibliography . 17 Introduction have a transformative effect on the economies of the region. On May 9, 1950, as Europe recovered from the destruc- tion of two world wars, France’s foreign minister, Rob- > The mere prospect of joint development and trade ert Schuman, declared an aim to “make war not only in natural gas has resulted in unprecedented polit- unthinkable, but materially impossible.” Thus, the ical cooperation between states in the region. This precursor to the European Union—the European Coal cooperation, occurring at this point only on a bilat- and Steel Community—was born. A common market eral or trilateral basis, can form the foundation for for coal and steel was established among European greater regional collaboration. states. This was not only the first step towards greater > Regional dangers and longtime conflicts threaten regional integration, but a decisive move to ensure that to halt progress on the energy front and even make Germany would not wage war on the continent again. energy resources a sticking point in overcoming Sixty-four years later, the foreign minister of the such conflicts. Republic of Cyprus, Ioannis Kasoulides, addressed > A formal, rules-based structure is needed in the the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. His address eastern Mediterranean that will govern exploration, included an analysis of how recent discoveries of encourage joint development and exploitation, natural gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean develop infrastructure that benefits the region could have a game-changing effect on the geopolitics as a whole, and become an aspirational goal for of the region. Midway through the address, Minister regional actors that are not ready to join such a Kasoulides declared that natural gas in the eastern structure today. Mediterranean could be the “steel and coal of the 21st century.” One of the top priorities for US foreign policy is to Instability and uncertainty mark the shores of the rebalance engagements, activities, and resources Mediterranean today. To the south, the events of the toward Asia. This rebalance is possible only if the Arab Spring have destabilized Egypt and Libya. Israel regions from which the United States is “withdrawing” is in perpetual battle against Hamas. The Islamic State do not present greater threats after the rebalance. One has seized large portions of Syria. NATO member and of the great strategic successes of US foreign policy EU aspirant Turkey continues to occupy the Republic during the Cold War was denying the Soviets a signif- of Cyprus, an EU member. Turkey also continues to icant presence in the Mediterranean. Stability in the feud with Israel and tolerate or enable destabilizing Mediterranean—in the face of the threats of Islamic forces in the region such as the al-Nusra front, Hamas, fundamentalism, piracy, economic chaos, and Russian and perhaps even the Islamic State. Economic crises assertiveness—is equally important today. Just as the on the northern shores of the Mediterranean at the European Coal and Steel Community began a process very least threaten the viability of the euro and could of regional cooperation and integration that allowed in fact undermine the EU. the United States to focus on other strategic priori- Despite all these challenges, the region’s emergence ties, a similar energy alliance in the eastern Mediter- as a significant source of energy changes the context ranean can free the United States to focus more on within which Mediterranean countries deal with each other regions. other and through which outside powers deal with the Mediterranean. The region faces a potential tipping How much is at stake? point. Yet it is clear that the mere existence of these A 2010 US Geological Survey estimated that the Levant resources is not enough to realize Minister Kasoulides’ Basin, under the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of vision of a new steel and coal community. We will Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt, has mean address both the threats and opportunities presented undiscovered oil resources of 1.7 billion barrels and, by energy in the eastern Mediterranean. Our report more significantly, mean undiscovered natural gas re- makes four main points: sources of 122 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). The survey also > The resources at stake are not enough to make estimates the mean undiscovered resources of natural a major impact on the world market or even on gas liquids (NGL) at 3.1 billion barrels.2 These esti- Europe’s energy independence, but they can mates are still just estimates. Yet since 2010 there have 4 - NATURAL GAS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN: THE COAL AND STEEL OF THE 21ST CENTURY? Figure 1 which is desperately seeking to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, is 2 to 4 percent of total consumption. The Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Notwithstanding these modest expectations, when Cyprus and Israel Israeli and Cypriot gas is considered in a larger con- text, it can significantly affect Europe. The closest partner to Israel and Cyprus in eastern Mediterranean energy diplomacy is Greece. Already a key player in bringing Caspian gas to Europe through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline,8 Greece may hold the key to making Europe more energy independent through using east- ern Mediterranean gas. Preliminary estimates peg Greece’s natural gas EEZ Cyprus reserves at over 165 Tcf, more than the combined potential reserves of Israel and Cyprus.9 If market EEZ Israel forces, technological advances, and geopolitical real- ities allow for the full realization of these potential reserves, the Greece-Cyprus-Israel triangle could potentially become the third leading supplier of Europe, behind Russia and Norway. Source: Georgia Logothetis, Hellenic American Leadership Council. The gas infrastructure going through Greece includes a connector to Bulgaria, which is of particular significance in the effort to wean Europe from Russian been significant natural gas discoveries in the EEZs of gas. Bulgaria depends on Russia for 100 percent of Israel and Cyprus.3 Israel’s natural gas reserves include its natural gas supply. Greece depends on Russia for Tamar (confirmed 10 Tcf), Leviathan (estimated 18 to 62 percent of its supply. Serbia, which aspires to EU 19 Tcf), and an additional estimated 3 Tcf dispersed membership, depends on Russia for 73 percent of its over smaller fields. The estimate for Cyprus’ Aphro- natural gas.10 In southeast Europe, especially in coun- dite field is approximately 5 Tcf. Seismic surveys have led to further licenses being granted across the EEZs of Cyprus and Israel, and exploration in the region Figure 2 will continue.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Supporting Fruit Fly Pest Prevention in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean
    September 2015 Supporting fruit fly pest prevention in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean The challenge… In parts of the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean, the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) causes major damage to fruit and vegetable production. The pest reduces fruit production and increases insecticide use, and has a direct impact on the production costs associated with agricultural commodities. Moreover, the recent emergence of exotic fruit fly species in North Africa and the Middle East poses a major threat to fruit and vegetable production in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean, since this region is put at risk by the invasive fruit fly species. The project… A regional European project was designed to increase awareness, cooperation and technical capabilities to prevent, detect and suppress established and exotic tephritid pest outbreaks. The sterile insect technique (SIT) facilitates the suppression of fruit fly populations by mass-rearing large numbers of males which, after being exposed to a short burst of radiation, are rendered sterile. When released into the wild, these sterilized males breed with females who, in turn, produce eggs that do not hatch. To overcome the fruit fly problem, the SIT is applied as part of an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approach, integrated with other Mediterranean fruit flies in mandarin fruit. control methods. Supported by the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) and the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, fruit flies, which emerged from about 700 million sterile pupae—were released in the Neretva Valley pilot SIT area. In addition, traps and attractants were procured for all participating Member States.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals
    Network of Conservation Educators & Practitioners The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals Author(s): Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, David Hyrenbach, and Tundi Agardy Source: Lessons in Conservation, Vol. 2, pp. 91-109 Published by: Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners, Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History Stable URL: ncep.amnh.org/linc/ This article is featured in Lessons in Conservation, the official journal of the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP). NCEP is a collaborative project of the American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) and a number of institutions and individuals around the world. Lessons in Conservation is designed to introduce NCEP teaching and learning resources (or “modules”) to a broad audience. NCEP modules are designed for undergraduate and professional level education. These modules—and many more on a variety of conservation topics—are available for free download at our website, ncep.amnh.org. To learn more about NCEP, visit our website: ncep.amnh.org. All reproduction or distribution must provide full citation of the original work and provide a copyright notice as follows: “Copyright 2008, by the authors of the material and the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American Museum of Natural History. All rights reserved.” Illustrations obtained from the American Museum of Natural History’s library: images.library.amnh.org/digital/ CASE STUDIES 91 The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara,* David Hyrenbach, † and Tundi Agardy ‡ *Tethys Research Institute; Milano, Italy, email [email protected] † Duke University; Durham, NC, U.S.A., email [email protected] ‡ Sound Seas; Bethesda, MD, U.S.A., email [email protected] Source: R.
    [Show full text]
  • Mts 024.Unga 65
    Item 102 – Strengthening of Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean Region First Committee 65 th Session of the United Nations General Assembly 22 nd October 2010 United Nations, New York Statement by H.E. Mr. Saviour F. Borg Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations Mr. Chairman, I would like to extend my congratulations on your election as Chair of the First Committee and the exemplary manner that you are conducting our proceedings. Malta is pleased to participate once again in this important annual general debate on "Regional Disarmament and Security". My intervention will focus on the Mediterranean dimension and on the efforts undertaken by countries like Malta which leave no stone unturned to enhance the region’s security and cooperation as well in advancing economic and social development of their populations. As a European country at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, it is only natural for Malta to place Euro-Mediterranean affairs at the heart of its foreign policy. Malta’s geo-strategic location makes us intimately aware of the intrinsic relationship between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. Our major strategic objective is to play a proactive role in the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean through different confidence and security building initiatives that further dialogue and understanding in our region. Malta’s Membership of the European Union has increased our determination to work together with all Euro-Mediterranean countries on the search for peace, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region and beyond. Last week, Malta was the venue of the 2010 OSCE Mediterranean Conference.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkey's New Moves in the Eastern Mediterranean
    Turkey’s New Moves in the Eastern Mediterranean by Dr. George N. Tzogopoulos BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 2,110, August 1, 2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In July 2021, Israel expressed full support to the Republic of Cyprus in the wake of the unilateral reopening of the Varosha coastline by Turkey. Last year, it also showed solidarity with Athens during Greek-Turkish tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. While the tripartite partnership is progressing, Ankara is seeking to expand its footprint in the region and is pursuing a two-state solution in Cyprus. It is also applying a new foreign policy methodology to Greece while remaining adamant in its demands. Turkey’s new policy vis-à-vis Cyprus, based on a two-state solution, is being heavily criticized by the international community. In a press statement, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed American support for a Cypriot-led comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Also, the decision by Ankara to reopen the coastline of Varosha, a city on the eastern edge of the island that was abandoned after the 1974 military invasion, united the 15 members of the UN Security Council in condemnation. On July 23, the Security Council reaffirmed the status of Varosha as set out in previous resolutions, including 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). Israel is committed to strengthening its collaboration with both Greece and Cyprus. The July phone call between presidents Isaac Herzog and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did not prevent Jerusalem from expressing deep concern about Turkish announcements regarding Cyprus. FM Yair Lapid hosted his counterparts Nikos Dendias on July 21 and Nikos Christodoulides on July 27.
    [Show full text]
  • Between Geopolitics and Geoeconomics: the Growing Role of Gulf States in the Eastern Mediterranean
    Between Geopolitics and Geoeconomics: The Growing Role of Gulf States © 2021 IAI in the Eastern Mediterranean by Adel Abdel Ghafar ABSTRACT The role played by countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Eastern Mediterranean is becoming increasingly ISSN 2610-9603 | ISBN 978-88-9368-177-3 important. This calls for an assessment of their evolving relationship with countries in the region, as well as their involvement in the Libyan conflict. Increased involvement by Gulf actors may inflame existing regional rivalries and geopolitical tensions. The interests of GCC countries in the Eastern Mediterranean are first analysed in the broader context of regional rivalries. Special attention is then devoted to Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Greece and Cyprus, while considering the role of other key regional actors such as Turkey and Israel. Recommendations on why and how the new US administration should intervene to decrease regional tensions are provided. Gulf countries | Eastern Mediterranean | Turkish foreign policy | Egypt | keywords Libya | Lebanon | Greece | Cyprus | Israel IAI PAPERS 21 | 06 - FEBRUARY 2021 21 | 06 - FEBRUARY IAI PAPERS Between Geopolitics and Geoeconomics: The Growing Role of Gulf States in the Eastern Mediterranean Between Geopolitics and Geoeconomics: The Growing Role of Gulf States in the Eastern Mediterranean © 2021 IAI by Adel Abdel Ghafar* Introduction In August 2020, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State Anwar Gargash tweeted: “the signing of the maritime boundary demarcation agreement between Egypt and Greece is a victory for international law over the law of the jungle”.1 This thinly veiled insult, directed at Turkey, was the latest salvo in the growing competition in the Eastern Mediterranean.
    [Show full text]
  • The Gordian Knot: American and British Policy Concerning the Cyprus Issue: 1952-1974
    THE GORDIAN KNOT: AMERICAN AND BRITISH POLICY CONCERNING THE CYPRUS ISSUE: 1952-1974 Michael M. Carver A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of The requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2006 Committee: Dr. Douglas J. Forsyth, Advisor Dr. Gary R. Hess ii ABSTRACT Douglas J. Forsyth, Advisor This study examines the role of both the United States and Great Britain during a series of crises that plagued Cyprus from the mid 1950s until the 1974 invasion by Turkey that led to the takeover of approximately one-third of the island and its partition. Initially an ancient Greek colony, Cyprus was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the late 16th century, which allowed the native peoples to take part in the island’s governance. But the idea of Cyprus’ reunification with the Greek mainland, known as enosis, remained a significant tenet to most Greek-Cypriots. The movement to make enosis a reality gained strength following the island’s occupation in 1878 by Great Britain. Cyprus was integrated into the British imperialist agenda until the end of the Second World War when American and Soviet hegemony supplanted European colonialism. Beginning in 1955, Cyprus became a battleground between British officials and terrorists of the pro-enosis EOKA group until 1959 when the independence of Cyprus was negotiated between Britain and the governments of Greece and Turkey. The United States remained largely absent during this period, but during the 1960s and 1970s came to play an increasingly assertive role whenever intercommunal fighting between the Greek and Turkish-Cypriot populations threatened to spill over into Greece and Turkey, and endanger the southeastern flank of NATO.
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Mediterranean in Uncharted Waters
    EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN UNCHARTED WATERS EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN UNCHARTED WATERS Perspectives on Emerging Geopolitical Realities Perspectives on Emerging Geopolitical Realities Perspectives ISBN: 978-605-4679-18-8 EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN UNCHARTED WATERS Perspectives on Emerging Geopolitical Realities Edited by Prof. Michaël Tanchum Published by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. All rights reserved. This publication reflects the views of the authors only which had the freedom to choose any terminology they wanted to express their free opinion. Konrad–Adenauer–Stiftung Derneği Türkiye Temsilciliği Ahmet Rasim Sokak No: 27 06690 Çankaya-Ankara/TÜRKİYE Tel. : +90 312 440 40 80 Faks : +90 312 440 32 48 E-mail : [email protected] Web : www.kas.de/tuerkei ISBN : 978-605-4679-18-8 Designed & Printed by: OFSET FOTOMAT +90 312 395 37 38 Ankara, 2021 5 | Preface Walter Glos 7 | Introduction Ercan Çitlioğlu 11 | The Geopolitics Of The Eastern Mediterranean Crisis: A Regional System Perspective on the Mediterranean’s New Great Game Michaël Tanchum 27 | TRNC-RoC Cooperation: A Critical Missing Piece for Eastern Mediterranean Stability Mustafa Çıraklı 38 | The Eastern Mediterranean as an Emerging Crisis Zone: Greece and Cyprus in a Volatile Regional Environment Ioannis N. Grigoriadis 47 | Turkey in an Increasingly Complex Eastern Mediterranean: How Turkey Can Defend its Interests and Alleviate its Isolation in the Region Yelda Ongun 59 | Escalating Complexity in Libya’s Ongoing Conflict Mohamed Eljarh 69 | Egypt’s Energy
    [Show full text]
  • Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture Rural
    REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND MARINE RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENT 1416 NICOSIA CYPRUS NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION PROGRAMME ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Prepared within the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No. 199/2008, Commission Regulation (EC) 665/2008 and Commission Decision 2010/93/EU Nicosia, May 2016 Table of Contents Section Section title Page no. I. General framework 1 II. National data collection organisation 2 II.A Nation al correspondent and participating institute s 2 II.B Regional and International coordination 4 II.B.1 Attendance of i nternational meetings 4 II.B.2 Follow -up of regional and i nternational recommendations 4 and agreements III. Module of the evaluation of the fishing sector 5 III.A General description of the fishing sector 5 III.B Economic variables 6 III.B.1 Achievements: Results and deviation from NP proposal 6 III.B.2 Data quality: Results and deviation from NP proposal 9 III.B.3 Actions to avoid deviations 9 III.C Metier -related variables 10 III.C.1 Achievements: Results and deviation from NP proposal 10 III.C.2 Data quality issues 12 III.C.3 Actions to avoid deviations 14 III.D Recreational fisheries 14 III.D.1 Achievements : Results and deviation from NP proposal 14 III.D.2 Data quality issues 15 III.D.3 Actions to avoid deviations 15 III.E Stock -related variables 15 III.E.1 Achievements: Results and deviation from NP proposal 15 III.E.2 Data quality issues 16 III.E. 3 Actions to avoid deviations 17 III.
    [Show full text]
  • Jurisdictional Waters in the Mediterranean and Black Seas
    DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIESB POLICY DEPARTMENT AgricultureAgriculture and Rural and Development Rural Development STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES B CultureCulture and Education and Education Role The Policy Departments are research units that provide specialised advice Fisheries to committees, inter-parliamentary delegations and other parliamentary bodies. Fisheries RegionalRegional Development Development Policy Areas TransportTransport and andTourism Tourism Agriculture and Rural Development Culture and Education Fisheries Regional Development Transport and Tourism Documents Visit the European Parliament website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/studies PHOTO CREDIT: iStock International Inc., Photodisk, Phovoir DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES FISHERIES JURISDICTIONAL WATERS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEAS STUDY This document has been requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries. AUTHORS Prof. Juan Luis Suárez de Vivero TECHNICAL TEAM Mrs Inmaculada Martínez Alba Mr Juan Manuel Martín Jiménez Mrs Concepción Jiménez Sánchez ADMINISTRATOR Mr Jesús Iborra Martín Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies European Parliament E-mail: [email protected] EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Mrs Virginija Kelmelyté LANGUAGE VERSIONS Original: ES Translations: DE, EN, FR, IT. ABOUT THE PUBLISHER To contact the Policy Department or subscribe to its monthly bulletin, write to [email protected] Manuscript completed in December 2009. Brussels, © European Parliament, 2009 This document is available from the following website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/studies DISCLAIMER The opinions given in this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • Israel's Discourses and Practices in the Mediterranean Since 2001
    Working Papers No. 8, June 2017 Israel’s Discourses and Practices in the Mediterranean Since 2001 Arab Studies Institute – Research and Education Methodologies (ASI-REM) This project is founded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Programme for Research and Innovation under grant agreement no 693055. Working Papers No. 8, June 2017 Israel’s Discourses and Practices in the Mediterranean Since 2001 Arab Studies Institute – Research and Education Methodologies (ASI-REM) Abstract Israel constructs the Mediterranean according to a Manichean schema whereby it classifies the countries which constitute the area as either nations it considers allies or nations and socio- political movements it considers threatening. Furthermore, in certain cases, this construction leaves space for attempting to move countries from the latter category to the former. For the former, the Israeli construction of security discourse consists of trading and military compacts, as well as friendly diplomatic ties. For the latter, Israeli construction of the Mediterranean is based on a discourse of deterrence – preventing such countries from threatening Israeli interests, as Israeli planners understand them – as well as attempting to weaken such countries when possible. Such weakening can in fact be a prelude to transitioning them from the “enemy” category to the “ally” category. Finally, Israeli discourse and construction of its most immediate neighbour, the Palestinians, reflects a combination of both worldviews. On the one hand, it constructs this sector of the Mediterranean as one it seeks to neuter or disarm, identifying as security threats those portions of Palestinian society it considers cooptable – the wider and deeper the scope of cooptation and absorption into the Israeli social and economic fabric, and political containment, the better.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Mediterranean Security Concerns and Nato's
    MEDITERRANEAN SECURITY CONCERNS AND NATO’S MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION BY EMRYE BAGDAGUL ORMANCI IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP FOR THE ACADEMIC CYCLE 1998/2000 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………...ii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..1 2. SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN…………..…..6 2.1. GENERAL PROBLEMS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN……..6 2.1.1. The Difference in Economic Development……………………..7 2.1.2. Islamic Fundamentalism..…………………………………….…9 2.1.3. Terrorism, Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking……………10 2.1.4. The Increasing Military Expenditures of the Regional States and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction……………12 2.1.5. Demographic Imbalance………………………………………..13 2.2. SECURITY CHALLENGES VIEWED BY THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA……………………….…16 2.2.1. The Concept of Security, A Northern Innovation?……………..16 2.2.2. Legacy of the Past and The Exclusion of Some Arab States from Some Mediterranean Cooperation Initiatives……...18 2.2.3. Cultural Insecurity of the Southern Mediterranean States……..19 2.2.4. Suspicion on the Degree of Importance The West Attaches to the Mediterranean……………………………………………21 2 3. NATO’S MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE…………………………23 3.1. Principles of the Mediterranean Dialogue………………………..25 3.2. Challenges to NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue…………………26 4. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………..31 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………..35 TABLES A: WMD CAPABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN…………………40 B: DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS FOR THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES……………………………………41 3 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The drastic changes that the world has undergone since the end of the Cold War brought about a challenge to the importance of the nation-state as a significant actor of international politics.
    [Show full text]
  • Toward an Eastern Mediterranean Integrated Gas Infrastructure?
    FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY PAPER 2016 | NO. 20 TOWARD AN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN INTEGRATED GAS INFRASTRUCTURE? SHAUL ZEMACH © 2016 The German Marshall Fund of the United States Please direct inquiries to: The German Marshall Fund of the United States 1744 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 T 1 202 683 2650 F 1 202 265 1662 E [email protected] This publication can be downloaded for free at http://www.gmfus.org/listings/research/type/publication. The views expressed in GMF publications and commentary are the views of the author alone. About the Foreign and Security Policy Program The Foreign and Security Program (FSP) at GMF comprises a stream of activities furthering objective analysis and debate on geopolitical questions of transatlantic concern. The program spans regional and functional issues, from NATO affairs to energy security, including challenges and opportunities in Europe’s East, the strategic environment in the Mediterranean, and the role of Turkey as a transatlantic partner. About GMF The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) strengthens transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan. GMF contributes research and analysis and convenes leaders on transatlantic issues relevant to policymakers. GMF offers rising leaders opportunities to develop their skills and networks through transatlantic exchange, and supports civil society in the Balkans and Black Sea regions by fostering demo- cratic initiatives, rule of law, and regional cooperation. Founded in 1972 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic.
    [Show full text]