The Influence of Technical Cooperation on Reducing Tension in the Middle East

by Robert B. Abel

This book describes the events leading up to a cooperative program of marine technology between Egypt and Israel, and how the program was actually conducted. It then attempts the effect of the cooperation on relations between the countries themselves.
The program in marine technology, which was the AID Program trailbreaker, and which set the standard for the rest of the programs, has encompassed projects in lakes management, shore processes and erosion control, aquaculture and fisheries, climate prediction, seafood quality, waste water recycling, and primary productivity of the Mediterranean Sea. Cooperation was initiated by forming a project between an Egyptian Institution and an American Institution. Dr. Abel then introduced the same project to an Israeli Institution. Through a series of meetings, Dr. Abel brought about a true trilateral effort. His next step was to back out the American Institution, leaving the Israelis and Egyptians in true bilateral cooperative projects. At the close of the period described by the book, Jordan is being introduced to the program.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 1997