Multilateralism and regional security major theme at Manama Dialogue 2021

Manama, Nov. 2 (BNA): US defence policy in the Middle East, changing multilateralism and regional security, the Gulf and Asia will figure high on the agenda of the Manama Dialogue when it convenes in Bahrain's capital on November 19-21. The Dialogue, a central element of the Middle East’s security architecture, brings together policymakers, government ministers, and members of the expert, business and opinion-forming communities from across the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia to discuss the region’s most pressing policy issues and suggest answers. The Middle East's premier security and defence summit has been held in Manama in collaboration with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) since 2004. The theme of this year’s discussion at the Dialogue will be "Multilateralism and the Middle East". "While the region’s conflicts and rivalries are well known, the dominant approach to resolving them may be changing," the organizers said. Other topics to be discussed will be "Diplomacy and Deterrence", "Conflict Termination in the Wider Region", "Security Dynamics in the Red Sea" and "Militias, Missiles and Nuclear Proliferation." According to the organizers, there will be a keynote speech on Friday November 19, four plenary sessions on Saturday November 20 and three plenary sessions on Sunday November 21. The sessions will be on the record. "All speakers will attend in person. A virtual platform will be available for delegates who cannot travel to Bahrain, allowing them to view the plenary sessions and to pose written questions to panelists. Delegates attending in person will also be able to access the virtual platform if, for some reason, they are unable to attend some of the plenary sessions. Delegates, both in person and virtual, will be provided with log-in information three days before the Dialogue commences."