Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization itself, the Middle East not only boasts the origin of many major religions, it is a part of the world rich in history, culture, and natural resources. Regrettably, the region is also afflicted with the internecine discord that all too often accompanies those physical and social attributes.

In this collaborate regional report between the Stanley Foundation and the Stimson Center, the authors propose an innovative, “whole-of-society” approach to bridging the security/development divide in the Middle East that would leverage donor investments in both security assistance and development assistance, so as to ensure recipient state buy-in and an enduring return on investment.

Stimson Center co-authors Brian Finlay, senior associate and director of the Managing Across Boundaries program, and research associate Johan Bergenas teamed with the Stanley Foundation’s associate program officer Veronica Tessler to explore how UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), which mandates a sweeping array of supply-side efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction, is one tool that could be used to this end.

There is also a version translated in Arabic. To view, click here.