The prospect of a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East

This chapter provides an introduction of the historical regional context in which the idea of a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East surged. Later, the four hypotheses outlined are assessed, and some conclusions are drawn from this case study. First, most Middle East countries base their security on a self-help concept that leaves little room for cooperative security endeavors. Second, the lack of strong regional institutions and economic cooperation among Middle East countries obstructs cooperation on other issue areas such as security. Democracy is not a relevant factor since most countries are not democratic. In this regard, the security cooperation between Israel and Egypt shows that it can be achieved between a democracy and a non-democracy. Third, in the Middle East, there are not regional powers or two core states capable of promoting regional governance schemes such as a NWFZ. Fourth, non-proliferation norms have not been internalized by most countries in the region. The Middle East has witnessed the use of chemical weapons and the establishment of many clandestine nuclear programs over the years.