Egypt's future, Syria's escalating situation and Iran's nuclear file are some of the key topics to be discussed over the next two days at a major security conference being held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa.

Military heads and intelligence chiefs from more than 30 countries will meet today and tomorrow at the eighth International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit: The Manama Dialogue 2012.

"This is a platform to discuss issues related to regional and international security with special sessions to reach common grounds," said IISS director of studies Adam Ward.

"The Syrian situation, Iran's nuclear enrichment programme and GCC regional security are some of the main issues that will be high on the agenda.”

"In addition, there are bilateral meetings that provide a degree of flexibility to discuss issues."

He was speaking during a Press conference yesterday to discuss the perspectives of Manama Dialogue 2012 along with other IISS experts.

IISS transnational threats and political risk director Nigel Inkster said the conference will tackle the global economic downturn and regional political insecurity.

"There were economic expectations from the people which we witnessed in Egypt and Tunis or even food security in North Africa," he said.

"We cannot separate the economic situation from reflecting on the politics."

Meanwhile, experts also stressed the need for an end to the political stalemate in Bahrain and the importance of holding an open dialogue.

"Overall the situation is frozen with none of the two sides ready to jump in," said IISS Senior Fellow for Regional Security Emile Hokayem.

"The society is not active compared to other countries and Bahrain first needs to stabilise its economy and work on the reforms process." – TradeArabia News Service