Progress Magazine:The Middle East needs an EU-led strategy to promote democratic governance

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The Middle East needs an EU-led strategy to promote democratic governance

The broader Middle East and south Asia are regions of crucial importance to the EU. Both form a large residual basin akin to a ‘Grand Area’– an outer perimeter of defense on which the security of the European Neighbourhood and ultimately, the EU, depends. The security of the Union depends on the security of the Neighbourhood and the security of the Neighbourhood in turn is determined by the situation in the Grand Area. The EU must become more strategically involved in what is emerging as the geopolitical shatter-belt of the 21st century. In this Grand Area, the EU should throw its weight behind an assertive grand strategy to promote constitutional government and order throughout the region. Britain and the rest of the EU should promote democracy in Pakistan and across south Asia and the broader Middle East, not just as a good in itself but as a vital national and European interest. Finally, a grand strategy underpinned by democratic geopolitics would seek to prevent reckless or self-interested meddling on the part of foreign powers in the Grand Area. Chinese support for Sudan and Russian interference over Iranian nuclear ambitions have been decidedly unhelpful, encouraging disruptive behaviour by both regimes.