IISS 2008 Regional Security Summit Press Coverage
- 17 Dec 2008 - - The National - The Gulf states must press the nuclear issue before it’s too late
These concerns were clearly laid out during last week’s IISS Manama Dialogue, a gathering of senior officials involved in Gulf affairs. There, US Defence Secretary Bob Gates walked a fine line: he warned that an Obama administration would not get soft on Iran (a message meant to reassure his Arab listeners) but reiterated a preference for dialogue. Tellingly, the Iranian officials slated to attend failed to show up, a sign that there is no consensus yet in Tehran about how to deal with such overtures.
- 17 Dec 2008 - - McClatchy Newspapers - Should ground troops hunt pirates in Somalia?
One of the Bush administration's last foreign-policy initiatives immediately drew skepticism from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said over the weekend that the United States lacked the military intelligence to carry out a land-based operation. Officials in other countries have suggested that land pursuits could violate international law.
- 17 Dec 2008 - - The National - The Gulf states must press the nuclear issue before it’s too late
These concerns were clearly laid out during last week’s IISS Manama Dialogue, a gathering of senior officials involved in Gulf affairs. There, U.S. Defense Secretary Bob Gates walked a fine line: he warned that an Obama administration would not get soft on Iran (a message meant to reassure his Arab listeners) but reiterated a preference for dialogue. Tellingly, the Iranian officials slated to attend failed to show up, a sign that there is no consensus yet in Tehran about how to deal with such overtures.
- 17 Dec 2008 - - The National - Canal is dredged to make room for display warships
Security issues have been at the forefront of the Government’s agenda over the past few weeks. At a conference in Manama, Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, urged the GCC to include Iraq, to limit Iran’s influence in the region. The UAE is also negotiating with the US to purchase several missile defence systems.
- 14 Dec 2008 - - The National - Iraq and the GCC: back into the fold
The fifth Regional Security Summit in Manama is under way, and, perhaps predictably, the US has concentrated the conversation on Iraq. As the focus of US involvement there shifts from military action to reconstruction and political reconciliation, Washington has increasingly sought greater regional involvement in its efforts. The GCC countries in particular have responded positively to calls for reopening of embassies and writing off the massive debt accrued under Saddam Hussein’s regime. But true co-operat
- 16 Dec 2008 - - Financial Times - The tricky road to US dialogue with Tehran
Iranians often create a stir at the Manama dialogue, a high-profile Gulf security conference attended by Arab and American officials, even from a distance. While the US delivers demands to its Arab allies, Iranian officials usually tell the Arabs to kick the Americans out of the Gulf because they are the source of all the region's troubles.
