As part of efforts to promote informal regional dialogue and consolidate the role of think tanks in supporting stability and policy formulation, Baghdad hosted the Iraqi-Syrian Think Tank Forum at the invitation of the Iraqi Foreign Affairs Group.
This forum comes within the context of strengthening Track II diplomacy, which relies on dialogue between intellectual and academic elites and opinion makers, with the aim of creating a space for shared thinking and building parallel visions that may contribute to creating a supportive environment for official decision makers.
The forum addressed a number of regional issues of common interest, including the future of bilateral relations, shifts in the security environment, and the challenges of economic development. Participants also discussed the potential roles of think tanks in offering alternative approaches to traditional policies and encouraging research and knowledge cooperation between the two countries.
Participants emphasized the importance of continuing these types of informal meetings, as they serve as interactive platforms for cross-border dialogue, contributing to bridging gaps and enhancing mutual understanding. They emphasized the importance of building sustainable research cooperation networks between Iraqi and Syrian centers, enhancing their role as independent sources of advice and formulating alternative policies.
This forum is part of a series of initiatives implemented by the Iraqi Foreign Affairs Group to enhance Iraq’s role as a center for regional dialogue and revive the long-standing traditions of scholarly and diplomatic communication among Arab intellectual elites. This will contribute to restoring Iraq’s historical role in shaping.