A set of policy recommendations ranging from de-escalating regional conflicts, funding post-conflict reconstruction and humanitarian aid for refugees, and a strategic effort to defeat the jihadist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis) is being proposed by a major Middle East think-tank.

The Beirut Institute, in partnership with US management consultancy AT Kearney, launched the policy paper in Abu Dhabi on 21 February, in an event attended by Prince Turki al-Faisal, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies. 

The paper highlights the need of deploying “multinational ground forces ?to intensify military pressure on Daesh [Isis]”. It is crucial, the paper said, not to over-rely on Kurdish forces, which will be unable to hold territory in areas that are not ethnically Kurdish. 

It adds that a common, shared and cohesive vision through 2030 for the entire Arab region will help inspire allegiance – particularly among the youth – and encourage investment. A key component of this vision is a mutual defence pact and a “full formal institutionalisation of the Joint Arab ?Defence Force”.

Other proposals include the creation of a Greater Arab Free Trade Zone by 2020, to enable intra-regional economic exchange, and the subsequent establishment of an Arab Economic Union.

The report also recommends:

• Strengthening public-private innovation funds;
• Introducing a defence offset programme (35 per cent) to help create new jobs;
• Adopting innovation-centred educational reforms;
• Creation of a regional network of science-based business accelerators;
• ?Leadership development;
• Deployment of accountability and anti-corruption mechanisms;
• Empowering of women economically, socially and politically;
• Expanding youth inclusion in strategic and policy planning.