INSS Delegation Visited Abu Dhabi and Signed a MOU with Leading UAE Think Tank
November 5, 2020
A delegation from Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) traveled to UAE capital Abu Dhabi for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Emirates Policy Center (EPC) in order to advance cooperation between the institutions and between countries. The members of the delegation included Executive Director of the INSS Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, Vice Chairman of the INSS Board of Directors Prof. Itamar Rabinovich, Managing Director of the INSS Brig. Gen. (ret.) Udi Dekel, Deputy Director of the INSS Brig. Gen. (ret.) Itai Brun, and several additional researchers.
The meetings between the two organizations focused on: the trends in the Middle East which undermine regional stability; the Iranian threat and how it ought to be dealt with; potential implications of the U.S. elections; and the Palestinian issue. The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by INSS Director Amos Yadlin and President of the EPC Dr. Ebtesam Al Ketbi. The MOU directs cooperation between the institutes, which will include joint conferences, as well as strategic research on issues related to national security.
In addition, the delegation met with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Anwar Gargash who spoke in great detail about the conditions which led to the normalization of relations between the two countries which was soon followed by additional Arab states. He expressed optimism that the relationship would capitalize on the opportunities that stand before it at the present time.
The visit to the UAE and the signing of the MOU were done in parallel to the establishment of a tripartite strategic partnership, including INSS, EPC, and the U.S.-based Atlantic Council, as announced last month. That partnership is a direct result of the Abraham Accords, which were signed at the White House in September and is intended to serve as a hub for members of the global think tank community who seek to contribute to the U.S.-UAE relationship as well as regional peace and prosperity.
