Weak Homegrown Research Proves an Obstacle to Middle East Security

Abstract

Developing an effective security architecture for the Middle East region is a complex problem that is facilitated by the production of pertinent scholarly research. Homegrown research is especially important, as it is more likely to feature the requisite nuanced understanding of local issues than is external research. Based on a small dataset, this paper makes the suggestive argument that at present, the academic literature on Middle East security is dominated by external research, and the limited volume of homegrown research is of lower quality than that produced externally. This state of affairs constitutes an obstacle to the formulation of a sustainable and effective Middle East security architecture. Consequently, policymakers should consider ways of boosting homegrown research on Middle East security.