What is going on in the Middle East?
Interests, profits and the future of possible peace in the Middle East

Room: H 1028

International Peace Bureau & Pax Christi International

The Middle East region remains insecure and continues to be one of the most dangerous parts of our world. In many parts of the Middle East, the life-forces of society – which are the freedom and hopes of the people – are crushed by repression, conflict or violent anarchy. The reality is that now we have permanent wars, insecurity and extremist violence in almost every country in the Middle East. Arms deliveries to all parties in these conflicts feed the tensions and escalate the level of violence. This must come to an end. The Middle East, as a region, needs the creation of a weapons of mass destruction-free zone (WMDFZ). The Middle East region remains insecure and continues to be one of the most dangerous parts of our world. In many parts of the Middle East, the life-forces of society – which are the freedom and hopes of the people – are crushed by repression, conflict or violent anarchy. The reality is that now we have permanent wars, insecurity and extremist violence in almost every country in the Middle East. Arms deliveries to all parties in these conflicts feed the tensions and escalate the level of violence. This must come to an end. The Middle East, as a region, needs the creation of a weapons of mass destruction-free zone (WMDFZ).

Wolfgang Biermann, Initiative for a new policy of détente NOW, Poland/Germany

Hanaa Edwar, Iraqi Peace and Solidarity Council, Iraq

Ute Finckh-Krämer, Member of the German Parliament, Germany

Mamdouh Habashi, World Alternatives Forum, Egypt

Paul Lansu, Pax Christi International, Belgium

Moderation: Etienne De Jonghe, Pax Christi International