Population growth in the Middle East and Central and South Asia can be a source of prosperity instead of instability UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by Reuters It’s no coincidence that the regions suffering the most violence and political instability over the past 10 years — Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas — have enormous numbers of young people struggling to stay in school and find jobs. Demographers from organizations such as the World Bank call it a “youth bulge” — higher birth rates and reduced infant mortality creating a large cohort of citizens under the age of…
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A military-supported greenhouse project will supply millions of tons of vegetables to ease potential food shortages EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE/MORALE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT Egypt has launched a nationwide strategic plan to improve food security, starting construction on 100,000 acres of greenhouses that will save water and optimize land usage in the mostly arid country. Egypt’s military is not only playing a role in building the greenhouses, but is also contributing 4,900 acres for the project near Mohamed Naguib Military Base, where 1,300 climate-controlled greenhouses will grow vegetables and other crops strategically important for Egypt. Ceremonies to launch the project occurred in…
The Jordanian Gendarmerie Forces play a vital role in the kingdom’s counterterrorism operations UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by JORDANIAN GENDARMERIE DIRECTORATE There is no doubt that the regional security apparatus is preoccupied by the security challenges presented by terrorist activities and plots to undermine stability and civil tranquility. After the Iraqi city of Mosul fell into the clutches of Daesh terrorist thugs, security forces began to change their classic counterterrorism tactics, training instead for combat in densely populated areas and preparing for unconventional operations against groups using civilians as human shields, setting off bombs inside families’ homes and taking hostages.…
An interview with Qatari Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim UNIPATH STAFF Unipath: Qatar is an important model of stability and security in the region. What strategies or policies have led to its success? Gen. Ghanim: Stability and security are a top priority of the state of Qatar, especially in light of increased challenges and conflicts in the region and the spread of terrorism in all forms. To achieve our priorities, the political leadership has sought to empower and strengthen the capabilities of military and security institutions, and develop comprehensive and integrated strategic plans based on developing the…
When His Highness Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar visited Washington, D.C., in April 2018, he came with a clear message: “Qatar is ready to play a pivotal and long-term role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.” This role depends on Armed Forces that are keen to protect their homeland and its achievements, along with a defensive military strategy that maintains security and stability. To build powerful Armed Forces, the emir relies on experienced Soldiers with strong determination, patience, steadfastness and pride. Qataris called these knights raei al-samlah, a local term that means “man…
UNIPATH STAFF Egyptian and French naval forces converged on the Red Sea in February 2018 to demonstrate the importance of multinational cooperation in protecting shipping lanes from terrorist attacks. Cleopatra 2018 was the name of the joint training exercise that included naval gunfire with live ammunition, helicopter missions launched from Mistral class amphibious assault ships, refueling operations on a Red Sea island, and searches and seizures of suspect vessels. Egypt supplied units from its southern fleet, including the Mistral-class Anwar El Sadat, several frigates of the Gowind class, missile launchers and elements of special naval units. Egyptian commanders viewed Cleopatra…
UNIPATH STAFF To aid in the fight against terrorism and promote national reconciliation, Lebanon received pledges for hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of military aid during a multinational security conference in Rome in March 2018. Although most of the donations came from European countries and the United States, Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia raised the possibility of contributing money in the future. Lebanon is in the process of outlining a five-year National Defense Strategy that suggests ways in which the country can improve its military and internal security forces. In 2017, in an operation called Fajr al-Joroud,…
UNIPATH STAFF Yemeni forces emerged victorious in a military operation to purge al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula from Abyan and Shabwa governorates in March 2018. Operation Sweeping Torrent, backed by forces from the Arab Coalition, including Saudi and Emirati troops, also netted warehouses containing missiles, explosives, bullets and other ammunition. The local commander, Col. Fahad Gharama, said Yemeni troops supported by United Arab Emirates fighter jets ousted al-Qaida fugitives from the mountains in Abyan’s Al Mahfad district, a former terrorist stronghold. The regional al-Qaida commander died in the attacks. “We have cleaned Al Mahfad’s military camps, valleys, villages and mountains from…
UNIPATH STAFF A Pakistan Navy ship participating in Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) seized $197 million worth of hashish in February 2018 in the Arabian Sea. Pakistani warship Aslat discovered the 5 tons of hashish after requesting permission to board an unregistered dhow in international waters. A dhow is a traditional sailing vessel in those waters. The seizure continued a recent string of successes in drug interdiction for the multinational naval task force. Between November 2017 and early February 2018, seven ships in CTF 150 confiscated an estimated $1 billion worth of illegal drugs, including 1.5 tons of heroin.…
SALTANAT BERDIKEEVA Highlighting improving relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov approved an agreement in January 2018 to improve security on the countries’ long common border. Diplomats hammered out the agreement in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, in October 2017. It promises to strengthen stability, cross-border security, and trust between the two countries. In addition to improving cross-border relations, the agreement facilitates cooperation on regional security issues such as counterterrorism, drug trafficking and illegal migration. Relations between the two neighbors have improved since the 2016 accession of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Until recently, the 1,374-kilometer border that Kyrgyzstan shares…