The Middle East needs its own Helsinki Act
- Posted on July 20, 2026
- By Financial Times
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
The Middle East could benefit from adopting a Helsinki-style diplomatic framework to reduce regional tensions between Iran and neighboring nations. Rather than requiring mutual trust as a foundation, this approach emphasizes confidence-building measures and transparent agreements that facilitated Cold War détente. Such mechanisms could establish communication channels, define behavioral expectations, and create pathways toward gradual de-escalation while maintaining national interests and security concerns.
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