MANAMA: The experts and political elite who are in Bahrain, over the two days, will tackle the key security issues and threats posed by the emergence of the ISIS during the sessions at the 10th Manama Dialogue which kicked off in Bahrain on Friday.
Dr John Chipman, Director General and Chief Executive International Institute for Strategic Studies told the inaugural Press conference that one of the primary areas would be the regional issues resulting from the spread of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
“The after effect of some of its followers returning to their homelands is cause for concern,” he added.
A” second area of focus would be the future regional military cooperation, he added.
Commenting on the reduced American presence, Dr Chipman said that Chuck Hagel’s successor was not yet in office. Ashton Carter is still not in office. Commenting also on the Iranian delegation’s absence he said it was important to have all hands on deck as the extension on the Iranian nuclear talks was announced till mid 2015, diplomacy went to work on the next few months. The broad lines of the agreement now look achievable, he said. It is also important for all to have their technical agreements in place.
The Iranians are in the midst of a historical agreement, with the extension in place, and they would like to have all hands on deck as they thrash out the details, said one of the IISS officials, recounting the reason for their absence.
The Manama Dialogue presents a platform for bilateral and multilateral talks on the various issues that each of the participating countries would look at.