LONDON [MENL] -- Britain envisions the formation of a pan-Arab military
alliance armed with weapons of mass destruction.The Defense Ministry's Joint Doctrine and Concepts Centre has issued a
report that forsees a significant increase in Arab defense and military
cooperation. The report, entitled "Strategic Trends," tries to assess major
development by the year 2030.The report, which asserts that it does not represent the views of the
ministry, envisions what it terms a coherent, assertive pan-Arab or
pan-Islamic alliance over the next three decades. The alliance would be
bolstered by missile and weapons of mass destruction programs from such
countries as Iran, Libya and Syria."In the Middle East continued political tensions centered on
Israel-Palestine will risk wider conflict between Israel and potentially a
coalition including -- in diminishing order of likelihood -- Syria, Iraq,
Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt," the report said. "Depending on the balance of
power between radicals and reformers in both countries, Israel-Iran tensions
may increase. The range of intractable tensions, the key strategic
importance of the region, and the likely proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction will ensure that it remains near the top of the West's security
agenda."
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