Regional proxies and the crisis of state sovereignty in the Middle East

The reality is that stability in the region cannot be achieved as long as policies of foreign intervention and regional proxies continue. This places states across several parts of the Arab region in a severe dilemma that prevents them from exercising full authority within their borders or dealing credibly with other states. The notion of sovereignty loses its real meaning when loyalties are divided and decision making and weapons are dispersed among factions and militias.