Political stability vital for energy security

Energy protection and stability would not be possible without a sustainable political situation in the region says expert.

“Political instability makes negative impact on energy protection, stability in energy is crucial as political stability,” said Salman Sheikh, Director, Brooking Doha Centre, at a symposium held at the Georgetown University –Qatar yesterday.

He explained maintaining a long term political stability is essential for energy security with new strategies at this symposium, ‘The world in 2050-Global Issues and their impact on Diplomacy and on Education’ was discussed by a panel of experts Mehran Kamrava, Interim Dean, Georgetown University in Qatar as the moderator.

The panel discussed about varies issues under ‘A perfect storm ahead? Water energy and food security in the era of climate change.’

Making a special reference to the Israel Sheikh said “some in Israel are now realizing that in order to build security they need to build strategy through peace with Palestine and Syria.”

“Better future is based on strategic peace than an innovative war,” he further said and stressed it’s important for Israel to make peace with the region. Further, the power in the gulf region is no longer in about military but defined in economic terms explained Dr Kamrava, at the panel in his capacity as the moderator.

“Oil will continue to play an important role in the Gulf States,” he said, while referring it as the fourth wave of democracy.

Dr Kamrava also discussed about some of the regional elements individually in the context of economic ascendance, knowledge based economies and rent based economies. He made a reference to Turkey as playing an important role with allowing having permernanat oil pipes and its determined foreign policy in the past couple of years.

However he stated if the internal political contrast between the military and traditional aspects comes to a mute, a difference could be seen in the country for better aspects.

Between, Dr Robert Wirising, Visiting Professor, Georgetown University of Foreign Service in Qatar speaking about water security explained the crucial need of saving water on the backdrop of global warming and the predicted sea level raising.

Source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com