logo
Rebuilding the Middle East: enormous challenges, staggering costs, no peace in sight

Rebuilding the Middle East: enormous challenges, staggering costs, no peace in sight

Yahoo27-03-2025
BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 27 (UPI) -- Rebuilding the Middle East, shattered by more than 15 years of devastating wars, requires urgent, massive funding that could be stalled by reduced and conditional foreign aid, regional power struggles, the failure to end the raging conflicts and unwillingness to achieve peaceful settlements.
The wars, particularly the ongoing devastation in Gaza, have caused unprecedented levels of destruction and humanitarian suffering. This also includes Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, which together constitute more than one-third of the Arab countries.
Reconstruction could take decades and recovery even more, with post-war efforts needed that are described as the largest since the end of World War II in 1945.
A major concern is emerging about who will finance post-war restoration and how. Can such massive funding be possible without achieving a sustainable peace settlement? And is funding the only challenge?
The fear is that limited resources, reduced aid and inability to end the conflicts would only increase instability and prolong sufferings in the Arab region.
Initial estimates reveal a staggering cost for rebuilding the Middle East that could range from $350 billion to $650 billion, including some $53 billion for Gaza, $11 billion for Lebanon and $400 billion for Syria.
Such figures are "average estimations," according to Abdallah Al Dardari, regional director for Arab States of the United Nations Development Program.
"No comprehensive on-the-ground assessments of the impacts of the conflicts have been conducted to date," Al Dardari told UPI in an interview from New York.
He said that the estimations rely mostly on analyses of satellite imagery to provide approximations of the scope and scale of destruction and "mathematical modelling" to assess other impacts.
They are also based on different assumptions for recovery, including assessments of physical and infrastructure damage, the time needed for reconstruction and extent of socio-economic recovery.
The U.N. official noted that the cost of recovery will be "much larger," as it also requires reviving war-devastated economies, restoring efficient government functions and institutions, rebuilding social cohesion and trust, and strengthening the resilience of local communities to withstand future crises.
The estimate for Gaza, for example, may refer primarily to costs related to address immediate rebuilding needs, he said.
Earlier this month, Arab leaders adopted Egypt's $53 billion-plan for Gaza reconstruction in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of taking over the war-ravaged Strip, rebuilding it by relocating permanently its inhabitants and turning it into a "Middle East Riviera."
The idea includes a six-month recovery phase during which temporary housing would be provided for 1.5 million displaced Gazans inside the Strip, to be followed by two stages of reconstruction. The process is expected to run until 2030.
According to a recent U.N. damage assessment, it could take 21 years and $1.2 billion to clear Gaza's 50 million tons of rubble caused by Israel's relentless and intensive airstrikes. In addition, the Palestinian Ministry of Health estimates that some 10,000 bodies remain buried beneath the debris.
Securing the much-needed funds emerged as a major challenge after the United States and many Western countries decided to cut foreign aid. They simply have higher priorities.
"In many of the traditional donor countries, we are witnessing a tide of political change that seems to be favoring national interest over international solidarity," al Dardari said. "We do live in a world of poly-crises that are requiring greater investments from leading economies, such as climate change, alongside major conflicts like the war in Ukraine."
A study released in February by the government of Ukraine, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations estimated the cost of Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery after three years of Russia's invasion at $524 billion over the next decade.
Would that impact reconstruction efforts in the Arab region? Expectedly, oil-rich Gulf countries would bear the burden of funding reconstruction in the region.
Al Dardari emphasized that Gulf countries have "important roles" to play in supporting and financing reconstruction of war-ravaged Arab countries.
"This goes beyond solidarity. ... It is an investment in stabilizing a region that is key for global peace and security and that plays important economic functions," he said, referring to UNDP's efforts to help countries build partnerships and collaborate with international bodies for "effective and inclusive rebuilding efforts."
He said the focus should be on diversifying funding sources, beyond traditional donors, developing innovative development financing arrangements with international financial institutions and emphasizing the role of regional cooperation to "sustain a momentum for recovery and reconstruction."
The UN official, however, warned that reduced financial support will slow the delivery of humanitarian aid, rebuilding of essential infrastructures and economic recovery, which "may prolong instability in conflict-affected Arab states."
Moreover, what could further delay reconstruction is the increasing linkage of funding to political conditions and anti-corruption reforms.
International and Arab donors have made it clear that disarming Hezbollah and implementing necessary reforms are prerequisites for releasing financial aid to help rebuild corruption-plagued Lebanon.
Syria's conditions for sanctions relief and reconstruction include, among others, formation of an inclusive government, maintaining order, dismantling any remaining chemical weapons, combating terrorism and curbing Islamist jihadists.
Gaza's situation proves to be more complicated: Hamas must relinquish its control of the Strip, stop attacking Israel and disarm, amid concerns over Israel and Trump's plan to force displacement of its population.
Al Dardari emphasized that achieving political settlements "that pave the way for peace and address the most urgent life-saving humanitarian needs of populations affected by war are key priorities."
Reforms, he said, are critical to restoring core government functions, revitalizing institutions, maintaining the rule of law and promoting national reconciliation.
He cautioned that funding conditionalities may incentivize governance reforms, but could "reinforce political deadlocks rather than resolve them."
At the end, what is needed is to address the root causes of the conflicts and prevent future violence.
However, the region remains far from achieving peace and stability, as regional and international powers continue to compete for influence and control.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

GOP's Graham, Cornyn call for special counsel probe of Barack Obama
GOP's Graham, Cornyn call for special counsel probe of Barack Obama

UPI

time9 minutes ago

  • UPI

GOP's Graham, Cornyn call for special counsel probe of Barack Obama

1 of 2 | Former president Barack Obama energizes the crowd, urging attendees to get involved and vote in Philadelphia in 2024. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn have called for special counsel after Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard released more unclassified documents about the Obama administration. File Photo by David Muse/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, are calling for a special counsel to investigate allegations against former President Barack Obama. The senators said they want the truth about Obama's alleged "manipulation" before the 2016 election. "For the good of the country, Senator @JohnCornyn and I urge Attorney General (Pam) Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome," Graham posted on X. A special counsel is someone brought from outside to investigate independently. "As we have supported in the past, appointing an independent special counsel would do the country a tremendous service in this case," Fox News reported Graham and Cornyn said. This call comes one day after Director of Homeland Security Tulsi Gabbard released a second formerly classified document alleging wrongdoing by Obama. The Department of Justice created a "strike force" to investigate the evidence. The document cast doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putin's desire to help Trump beat Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. It backed up the argument that Russia wanted to interfere in the election. It was part of a House Intelligence Committee report from Sept. 18, 2020, when Republicans controlled the House. Though it doesn't dispute that Moscow interfered in the election, it shows the Obama administration's handling of Russian activity. Last week, Gabbard released a document that accused Obama and his Cabinet of manufacturing an intelligence report to falsely accuse Russia of acting to ensure Trump defeated Clinton during the 2016 election. Obama's team responded to last week's report. "Nothing in that document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes," Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. "These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio." "With every piece of information that gets released, it becomes more evident that the entire Russia collusion hoax was created by the Obama administration to subvert the will of the American people," Graham and Cornyn said. Trump earlier in the day accused Obama of "trying to lead a coup" with Hillary Clinton.

Former Bolivian President Mesa: Regime change needed to boost economy
Former Bolivian President Mesa: Regime change needed to boost economy

UPI

time39 minutes ago

  • UPI

Former Bolivian President Mesa: Regime change needed to boost economy

Former Bolivian President Carlos Mesa warned that the country needs a 'radical change' in its economic and institutional model, and said the Aug. 17 election will be critical to avoiding a political collapse. File Photo by Mar Puig/UPI July 24 (UPI) -- Less than a month before Bolivia's presidential election, the country is facing one of its worst economic crises in decades -- marked by a critical fuel shortage, a collapsed currency market and a population placing its last hope in the polls. The country's foreign currency reserves have dried up, dollars are scarce in both formal and informal markets -- where the exchange rate has more than doubled -- and widespread shortages of diesel and gasoline have crippled key sectors, including public transportation and industry. In this context, former President Carlos Mesa, who held that office from 2003 to 2005, warned that Bolivia needs a "radical change" in its economic and institutional model, and said the Aug. 17 election will be critical to avoiding a political collapse. "The last hope in this terrible tunnel Bolivia is living through is the election -- a regime change, a president and a government capable of taking control of the situation and restoring the government's credibility," Mesa said. Bolivia's economy grew just 1.4% in 2024, down from 3.1% the year before. The International Monetary Fund projects even slower real growth in 2025 -- around 1.1% -- signaling a prolonged slowdown amid financial constraints, low gas prices and mounting macroeconomic pressure. Those figures fall below the regional average, where growth typically hovers around 3% a year. Mesa blamed the crisis on "20 years of bad governance," which he says began under former President Evo Morales and continued under current President Luis Arce, whom he accuses of "failing to confront the crisis with the seriousness it demanded." Mesa said the state squandered more than $15 billion in reserves since 2015, and that state-run companies are operating with structural deficits. He added that rising inflation is hitting the most vulnerable sectors hardest. "We went from being hydrocarbon exporters to net importers, with no clear plan for exploration or investment," he said. Despite the tense political climate, Mesa said the electoral process is not at risk and ruleed out any possibility of the vote being suspended. He warned, however, that Evo Morales -- sidelined from the race after failing to meet legal requirements -- could try to disrupt voting in specific regions, such as El Chapare. "The country understands that this election is the last hope for change. There is no other viable institutional path," he said. Recent polls place two opposition candidates -- Samuel Doria Medina and Luis "Tuto" Quiroga -- at the top, followed by leftist candidate Andrónico Rodríguez in third. None has surpassed 25% support, and with 10% to 15% of voters still undecided, a runoff appears likely Oct. 20. Beyond the electoral cycle, Mesa offered a scathing assessment of Bolivia's state apparatus. He denounced a collapsed institutional framework, a judiciary he says is "controlled by members of the ruling party" and a political system dominated by the Movement for Socialismfor nearly two decades. To reverse that trend, he proposed restoring a pluralist party system, reforming the judicial selection process and partially amending the Constitution in key areas such as justice and the economy. On economic policy, Mesa said he believes Bolivia will need between $10 billion and $12 billion in liquidity, support from multilateral institutions and tough decisions on subsidies and investment. Despite the grim outlook, Mesa remains optimistic about the public's willingness to participate in the process. "Voting is mandatory, but even if it weren't, Bolivian society would still go to the polls because it knows this election is the only way out of this catastrophe," he said. For Mesa, Aug. 17 is not just about choosing a president -- it's about deciding whether to begin rebuilding a country battered by institutional decay, authoritarianism and economic collapse.

Why are Gazans not getting sorely needed aid?
Why are Gazans not getting sorely needed aid?

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Why are Gazans not getting sorely needed aid?

Gazans are in desperate need of essentials after more than 21 months of war, but efforts to get aid into the Palestinian territory -- and to its hungry residents -- face major obstacles. UN agencies and aid organisations cite Israeli restrictions, safety issues and the establishment of a US- and Israeli-backed mechanism that has sidelined the humanitarian system in place. Israel says international organisations have failed, and that the previous UN-led system had allowed Hamas militants to loot aid trucks. On the ground, meanwhile, more than 100 aid and human rights groups warned this week that "mass starvation" was spreading. - GHF: few sites, deadly incidents - Israel's chosen aid distributor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), began operations on May 26 after a more than two-month total aid blockade. Now the main channel for distributing food to Gaza's more than two million people, GHF has faced chaos and deadly violence at its few distribution points. The United Nations and aid groups have refused to work with GHF, saying it was created to serve Israeli military interests. "They are not a humanitarian organisation... You don't deliver humanitarian aid in areas that have been completely flattened and militarised," said Arwa Damon, founder of INARA, a US-based NGO offering medical and mental health support to children. She noted the GHF's site locations -- along two military corridors in southern and central Gaza -- rather than being spread out across the territory. With only four GHG sites and huge crowds trying to reach them, there have been repeated reports of deadly fire near them. According to UN figures, Israeli forces have killed some 800 Palestinian aid-seekers near GHF sites since late May. Israel has rejected calls to restore the UN-led system, citing concerns that Hamas looted trucks and resold aid meant to be distributed free of charge. - Aid organisations sidelined - International aid groups say vast quantities of aid are stockpiled outside Gaza but require Israeli military clearance to enter. Inside Gaza, coordination with the military is also essential, as fighting and air strikes rage on. Damon accused Israel of preventing aid delivery by refusing to coordinate with NGOs to grant safe passage through combat zones. "Getting that coordination approved is incredibly challenging," she told AFP. "Not to mention Israel's lack of willingness to provide humanitarian organisations with a safe route to be able to ensure a secure pickup." The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said on Wednesday it had "thousands of trucks in neighbouring countries waiting to enter Gaza –- banned by Israeli authorities from entering since March". - 'Encountered death' for flour - Israel screens all goods entering Gaza, but COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, denies limiting the number of humanitarian trucks. On Thursday it said "around 70 food trucks were unloaded at aid crossings, and over 150 were collected by the UN and international organisations from the Gazan side". But more than 800 trucks remained uncollected, and Israel's military posted footage online of hundreds of trucks loaded with food aid "sitting idle inside Gaza". UN agencies and international NGOs reject Israeli claims that they lack the capacity to distribute food. They note that aid was distributed effectively in the past, including during the last ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that ended in March. In Khan Yunis, in Gaza's south, resident Yousef Abu Shehla said this week he had "encountered death" to get his hands on a bag of flour for his family. "We shall feed our children even if we die," he told AFP. glp/phz/acc/ami/dv Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store