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'''The Mediterranean Dialogue''' was created in 1994 by the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) for the purpose of creating a forum between NATO alliance members and [[Mediterranean]] countries. This outreach by NATO was seen as a way of spreading democracy, similar to what NATO did in eastern [[European]] countries, and also way of forming co-operation on the war against [[terrorism]] <ref> http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref>.   

'''The Mediterranean Dialogue''' was created in 1994 by the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) for the purpose of creating a forum between NATO alliance members and [[Mediterranean]] countries. This outreach by NATO was seen as a way of spreading [[democracy]], similar to what NATO did in eastern [[European]] countries, and also way of forming co-operation on the war against [[terrorism]] <ref> http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref>.   

==Goal==

==Goal==

==Expansion==

==Expansion==

The [[United States]] and other NATO members are advocating the expansion of the Mediterranean Dialogue. The Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini called for the Duologue to the expand to the south Mediterranean, “Only by involving the southern countries in a common program for defense and security can we create the conditions for a stable solution and especially for a steady action against terrorism’."<ref> http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref>

The [[United States]] and other NATO members are advocating the expansion of the Mediterranean Dialogue. The [[Italy|Italian]] Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, called on the Duologue to the expand to the south Mediterranean, “Only by involving the southern countries in a common program for defense and security can we create the conditions for a stable solution and especially for a steady action against terrorism’."<ref> http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref>

==Structure==

==Structure==

The Mediterranean Dialogue is a voluntary dialogue; meaning that member countries retain their [[sovereignty]]<ref> NATO Deputy Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, February 13, 2006, at the Conference “Nato and Egypt: A Dialogue”, http://www.nato.int/docu/speech/2006/s

The Mediterranean Dialogue is a voluntary dialogue; meaning that member countries retain their [[sovereignty]]<ref> NATO Deputy Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, February 13, 2006, at the Conference “Nato and Egypt: A Dialogue”, http://www.nato.int/docu/speech/2006/s

===Organizational Relationship===

===Organizational Relationship===

The Mediterranean Dialogue is primarily a [[bilateral]] structure, this allows for individual countries to work through the Dialogue with NATO. These one-on-one talks are held by the Dialogue on a regular basis in both the Ambassadorial and working level. One such instance of this could be Israel’s use of the organization to help NATO with counter-terrorism efforts.  Despite it bilateral nature, the organization can also be used for militarily purposes, and allows for all seven countries and NATO to meet regularly.   

The Mediterranean Dialogue is primarily a [[bilateral]] structure, this allows for individual countries to work through the Dialogue with NATO. These one-on-one talks are held by the Dialogue on a regular basis in both the Ambassadorial and working level. One such instance of this could be [[Israel]]’s use of the organization to help NATO with counter-terrorism efforts.  Despite it bilateral nature, the organization can also be used for militarily purposes, and allows for all seven countries and NATO to meet regularly.   

===Funding===  

===Funding===  

===Military===

===Military===

The Duologue gives NATO the unique contact with Mediterranean countries militaries and governments. The annual Work Preogramme offered by NATO to member Dialogue countries, offers military and political advice. These countries can- also in some case- participate in training exercises with NATO members. NATO also regularly sends military experts to assess further co-operation and government military standing.  

The Duologue gives NATO the unique contact with Mediterranean countries militaries and governments. The annual Work Program offered by NATO to Dialogue countries, offers military and political advice. These countries can also,in some cases, participate in training exercises with NATO members. NATO also regularly sends military experts to assess further co-operation and government military standing.  

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

===Purpose===

===Purpose===

Some have criticized NATO for acting inside the Arab world with the Mediterranean Diologue, claiming that the United States and NATO members are trying to appease terrorist groups operating in some of the Dialogue countries. [[The New Republic]] wrote: “Underlying all this confusion is a major shift in Middle East policy by the U.S. government which now seeks dialogue with Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood, both Islamist groups that avoid ties to Al Qaeda.” <ref> http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref>David Kaplan of [[U.S. News & World Report]] wrote that the one "strategy being pursued is to make peace with radical Muslim figures who eschew violence. At the top of the list: the Muslim Brotherhood, the pre-eminent Islamist society, founded in 1928 and now with tens of thousands of followers worldwide."<ref> David Kaplan, U.S. News & World Repor, http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref> NATO and the United States state that the reason for the Dialogue is to work with these countries against common threats such as terrorism.

Some have criticized NATO for acting inside the Arab world with the Mediterranean Dialogue, claiming that the [[United States]] and [[NATO]] members are trying to appease terrorist groups operating in some of the Dialogue countries. [[The New Republic]] wrote: “Underlying all this confusion is a major shift in [[Middle East]] policy by the U.S. government which now seeks dialogue with [[Hezbollah]] and the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], both [[Islamist]] groups that avoid ties to [[Al Qaeda]].” <ref> http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref>David Kaplan of [[U.S. News & World Report]] wrote that the one "strategy being pursued is to make peace with radical [[Muslim]] figures who eschew violence. At the top of the list: the Muslim Brotherhood, the pre-eminent Islamist society, founded in 1928 and now with tens of thousands of followers worldwide."<ref> David Kaplan, U.S. News & World Repor, http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050425&s=braude042905</ref> NATO and the United States state that the reason for the Dialogue is to work with these countries against common threats such as terrorism.

===Success===

===Success===