Talking to the Enemy : Track Two Diplomacy in the Middle East and South Asia

This monograph examines regional, multilateral track two dialogues in the Middle East and South Asia that are focused on arms control and other cooperative security measures. Unofficial policy discourse, or track two diplomacy, is an increasingly important part of the changing international security landscape, with the potential to raise new ideas and solutions to conflicts that, over time, may influence official policy. Talking to the Enemy considers how track two efforts in South Asia and the Middle East have socialized participants into thinking about security in more cooperative terms, and whether the ideas generated in track two forums have been acknowledged at the societal level or influenced official policy. Comparing the two regions, Kaye finds that South Asian dialogues, on Kashmir and other regional issues, have been more somewhat more effective than track two efforts in the Middle East, where lack of progress on official Arab-Israeli peace talks has also hindered unofficial regional dialogues. The author concludes with assessments of regional security trajectories in both regions, particularly proliferation dynamics, as well as suggestions on how to improve future track two efforts. Rethinking track two diplomacy Key issues and questions The state of the field A normative framework Defining track two Applying track two A regional focus Historical precedents Comparing the Middle East and South Asia Roles for track two dialogues Socialization of participating elites: creating a constituency for regional cooperation Filtering: making others' ideas your own Transmission: turning ideas into new policies Limits of track two dialogues Regional security dialogues in the Middle East Introduction Overview of dialogues UCLA and the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) The search for common ground Depaul University United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Cooperative Monitoring Center Canadian-sponsored maritime activities The U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: regional seismic monitoring cooperation project European-sponsored activities Gulf security track two forums Roles Socialization Filtering Policy impact Limits Elites Domestic constraints The regional environment Conclusion Regional security dialogues in South Asia Introduction Overview of dialogues Neemrana process Balusa group Kashmir Study Group (KSG) Shanghai process Stimson Center dialogues CSIS meetings on nuclear risk reduction centres (NRRCs) Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Laboratories Maritime activities: the confidence and cooperation in South Asian Waters Project Roles Socialization Filtering Policy impact Limits Elites Domestic constraints Regional environment Conclusion Conclusion Central arguments Regional comparisons Regional lessons Improving track two dialogues Expand the types of participants Create or strengthen institutional support and mentors for track two activities Localize the dialogues Bibliography. This Monograph Examines Security-related Track Two Diplomacy Efforts In The Middle East And South Asia, Including How Such Efforts Have Socialized Participants Into Thinking About Security In More Cooperative Terms, And Whether The Ideas Generated In Track Two Forums Have Been Acknowledged At The Societal Level Or Influenced Official Policy. Kaye Concludes With Suggestions On How To Improve Future Track Two Efforts. Rethinking Track Two Diplomacy -- Key Issues And Questions -- The State Of The Field -- A Normative Framework -- Defining Track Two -- Applying Track Two -- A Regional Focus -- Historical Precedents -- Comparing The Middle East And South Asia -- Roles For Track Two Dialogues -- Socialization Of Participating Elites: Creating A Constituency For Regional Cooperation -- Filtering: Making Others' Ideas Your Own -- Transmission: Turning Ideas Into New Policies -- Limits Of Track Two Dialogues -- Regional Security Dialogues In The Middle East -- Introduction -- Overview Of Dialogues -- Ucla And The Institute On Global Conflict And Cooperation -- The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (sipri) -- The Search For Common Ground -- Depaul University -- United Nations Institute For Disarmament Research (unidir) -- Cooperative Monitoring Center -- Canadian-sponsored Maritime Activities --^ Dalia Dassa Kaye. Mg-592-nsrd--p. [4] Of Cover. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 123-137). Also Available Via The Internet. Kaye (RAND) has written a thorough, thoughtful analysis of track two diplomacy in the two most difficult areas to practice this craft: South Asia and the Middle East. She includes descriptions and comments on a number of such efforts in both regions, which will be invaluable to both scholar and professional negotiators. Her discussion of the roles for track two talks--socializing elites, making others'ideas one's own, and turning ideas into policies--would be useful in any negotiation course. With respect to work in the two regions, Kaye speaks insightfully of projects under way: their potential, constraints, and the role of the regional environment. Her suggestion that each region may learn from the tribulation of the other is arguably thoughtful. Her suggestions for improvement--expand the types of participants, create institutional support and mentors, and localize the dialogues--deserve further study. Kaye (RAND) has written a thorough, thoughtful analysis of track two diplomacy in the two most difficult areas to practice this craft: South Asia and the Middle East. She includes descriptions and comments on a number of such efforts in both regions, which will be invaluable to both scholar and professional negotiators. Her discussion of the roles for track two talks--socializing elites, making others' ideas one's own, and turning ideas into policies--would be useful in any negotiation course. With respect to work in the two regions, Kaye speaks insightfully of projects under way: their potential, constraints, and the role of the regional environment. Her suggestion that each region may learn from the tribulation of the other is arguably thoughtful. Her suggestions for improvement--expand the types of participants, create institutional support and mentors, and localize the dialogues--deserve further study
This monograph examines security-related track two diplomacy efforts in the Middle East and South Asia, including how such efforts have socialized participants into thinking about security in more cooperative terms, and whether the ideas generated in track two forums have been acknowledged at the societal level or influenced official policy. Kaye concludes with suggestions on how to improve future track two efforts.