Iraqi Parliament Speaker highlights regional shifts, international system failures at MEPS 2024
"Our collective goal is to navigate through the challenges and obstacles that have affected us since Oct. 7 and beyond," Al-Mashhadani stated in his opening remarks.
Nov. 22, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Speaking at the fifth Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2024) in Duhok, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani addressed the evolving challenges in the Middle East and the shortcomings of the international political system.
"Our collective goal is to navigate through the challenges and obstacles that have affected us since Oct. 7 and beyond," Al-Mashhadani stated in his opening remarks.
The Parliament Speaker emphasized the region's diversity of perspectives: "We differ in our political viewpoints, political thinking, and geopolitical considerations. These differences extend to our approaches to governance, leadership, and management of both political and military challenges, whether at the state or group level."
Reflecting on regional transformation, Al-Mashhadani noted, "The challenges facing the Middle East, Iraq, and particularly the Kurdistan Region today are vastly different from those before Oct. 2003. The map of the Middle East has changed significantly, with zones of conflict expanding into new areas while existing peace agreements, both old and new, are being disregarded."
Addressing the changing international political landscape, Al-Mashhadani spoke about the implications of U.S. leadership transitions: "Donald Trump's approach during his first term was distinct, and as he begins his second term, there must be diplomatic efforts," he said, adding that the region must avoid getting entangled in new crises.
The Speaker delivered a pointed critique of the international system: "The failure of the international political regime, which has been predominantly based on polarization—whether led by America or others—has resulted in crisis-filled alliances. The United Nations has not been an effective solution to these challenges, as evidenced by the ongoing Middle East conflicts and the war in Gaza."
The MEPS 2024 forum has gathered an impressive international audience of 124 academics from 40 different countries, with 73% being first-time participants. The event features various panels and workshops focusing on current global and Middle Eastern affairs.
The MEPS forum at the American University of Kurdistan has become a significant platform for discussing regional security challenges and international relations.
The Speaker's comments reflect growing concerns about the effectiveness of international institutions in addressing regional conflicts and the changing dynamics of global power relations. His reference to Oct. 7 relates to recent regional developments that have significantly impacted the Middle East's political landscape.