While NATO was created with a primary outlook to the East, its Southern rim was neglected strategically until the end of the Cold War. Since then, the Alliance has undertaken a number of efforts to build strategic relationships with the Middle East and North Africa, recognizing the region's importance for Allied security. However, looming obstacles may well interfere with NATO's efforts to enhance relations with the region. Geostrategic realities are not in NATO's favor: it is a region of crisis; suspicious of the West in general; riddled with internal instability; and is a difficult to build ties with. This monograph examines the existing relationships as well as the remaining obstacles, and proposes solutions to the latter.

"August 2012"--T.p. "August 2012." Format not distributed to depository libraries. - "August 2012.". Neighbors without contact : NATO and the MENA region before 1991 -- A new relationship between NATO and the Arab world : an overview. The Mediterranean dialogue -- The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative -- The special case : the structured security cooperation framework in Iraq -- The missing links : Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine -- Obstacles on the way ahead. Addressing the problems of a negative image -- Improving understanding of the region -- A region of crisis -- Against all odds : relations between NATO and the MENA region.

Neighbors without contact: NATO and the MENA region before 1991 / A new relationship between NATO and the Arab world: an overview. The Mediterranean dialogue -- The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative -- The special case: the structured security cooperation framework in Iraq -- The missing links: Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine / Obstacles on the way ahead. Addressing the problems of a negative image -- Improving understanding of the region -- A region of crisis / Against all odds: relations between NATO and the MENA region.