Abstract

In the wake of 9-11, both the United States and the G-8 have launched initiatives aimed at reforming governance in the Middle East. Governance reform is impossible in most Arab states, however, without addressing the sensitive issue of security sector reform. And, due to its sensitivity, there is virtually no discussion in the Arab World on how to promote good governance, transparency and accountability of the security sector. This project aims to foster informed discussion on security sector reform within the region, and formulate questions, identify challenges and articulate strategies to tackle the issue. The project will also promote the idea that Arab societies have a right to question the role and functioning of their security sectors. Researchers will undertake a review of security sector reform research and lessons learned relevant to the Arab region. They will conduct a public opinion survey on attitudes and understanding of the security sector. And, they will convene an expert workshop to plan future work. The project will be led by the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI), a consortium of Arab and European policy research organizations possessing significant levels of credibility within their own countries, regionally and internationally.

Recipient Institution(s)