CfP for a Conference on 'The Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone'

Call for Papers
The Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) invites proposals for single or joint papers concerning the proposed implementation of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. Despite prominence on the regional and global agenda since 1974, political circumstances have prevented the negotiation of a zone.

Call for Papers
The Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) invites proposals for single or joint papers concerning the proposed implementation of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. Despite prominence on the regional and global agenda since 1974, political circumstances have prevented the negotiation of a zone.
The conference will convene high level representatives of states in the Middle East and contingent areas to discuss proposals from the academic and non-governmental communities. It follows the success of last year\'s event and will take place over two days to allow for deeper discussion on both formal and informal levels. States will be given the opportunity to present their positions and engage in panel sessions with experts to discuss policy options from contributed papers.
Themes for Papers: We are open to suggestions and contributions that address this broad concern. Examples of specific topics of interest that would be welcomed include:
- The role of confidence and security building measures in providing security assurance to states in the zone
- Analysis of particular strategies and timeframes for implementing any CSBMs
- Verification and monitoring provisions for such a zone
- The role of the international community or organisational bodies in implementing and safeguarding the zone
- Legal considerations involved in the implementation of such a zone and analysis of the legal authority of UN Security Council resolutions 687 and 984
- The impact of the zone on other existing nuclear weapon free zones and global arms control treaties
- The relationship of the zone with regional arms control arrangements and in addressing concerns over military build-up within the zone
- The geographical context of the zone:
-how should extra-zonal states be involved?
-would a \'Gulf WMDFZ\' be beneficial as a first step?
-how can regional mechanisms contribute?
- How such a zone would interact with the proposed peace settlement in the Arab-Israeli conflict:
-should the zone precede a settlement?
-would a settlement pave the way for the zone?
- What role can education and public policy development play in promoting the zone
For further details or proposals please contact Dr Dan Plesch dp27@soas.ac.uk