Securitised Middle East COVID-19 responses raise risks
Monday, July 27, 2020
Significance
The pandemic has compounded existing economic and political crises in Beirut and Baghdad, with the securitisation of the response straining military and state legitimacy. Conversely, despite some privacy concerns, stringent measures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were broadly welcomed in a context of strong state control and ample healthcare provision.
Impacts
- Years of under-investment in public health in some countries mean medical shortages may drive new anti-government demonstrations.
- Where security forces are mistrusted, their involvement in the pandemic response could undermine health outcomes.
- COVID-19 might draw global attention away from the Middle East, changing local security and defence configurations.
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