Trump's election makes global politics uncertain

He stressed the need to build a moderate Arab centre that is united in its promotion of a stable, and dynamic region.

The US elections have increased uncertainty regarding the future direction of global politics, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has said.
"Events of the past week have once again demonstrated that politics can be extremely unpredictable. America's role in the architecture of the current international system is paramount and it is understandable that the future direction of its foreign policy is a cause for acute speculation and concern. This follows Brexit and the rise of populist sentiments in many parts of the world," said Gargash while delivering a speech at the third Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate on Sunday.
"While we do not yet know how the foreign policy of the new American administration will affect our region, we can be certain of one thing: American global engagement remains crucial in order to ensure a stable, peaceful, and predictable international system," he added. 
He, however, stressed that the stability of the region cannot rest on American engagement alone. Other actors, including Russia, China, India and the EU also have an important role to play, "which is why our foreign policy seeks to consolidate relations with these actors".
"Solving regional problems also requires an active role for the United Nations. This means that the international community has to reverse the failures of recent years, by providing a more activist and effective role." 
Even by the standards of the Middle East, these are exceptional and difficult times, he underlined. "Regional crises are endangering the very existence of nation states and tearing apart the fragile fabric of many Middle Eastern societies. Ugly sectarian politics are replacing more rational national paradigms.
"It is therefore incumbent upon the states of the Middle East ... to engage in, and foster regional solutions to regional problems."
He said it is vital that "we, as a region, defend the pluralistic nature of our societies against those who promote sectarianism". He called on Iran to cease "meddling in the affairs of Arab states, and its funding and support of instability in Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria". He stressed the need to build a moderate Arab centre that is united in its promotion of a stable, and dynamic region.
- reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi