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Municipal Cooperation Across Securitized Borders in the Post-conflict Environment: The Gulf of Aqaba

Abstract Cross-border interaction at the municipal level is central to processes of rescaling of social, economic and political systems to new regional levels. This article analyses processes of rescaling in the post-conflict environment, adding the focus on securitization and local–national power relations to the regional rescaling discourse. Twenty years after the signing of the Israel–Jordan peace treaty, the Gulf of Aqaba serves as a case study for evaluating the stages, mechanisms and barriers of cross-border municipal cooperation between the cities of Aqaba and Eilat. The evolution of structures of cooperation between these municipal authorities demonstrates the potential of cross-border cooperation while continuous deference to national governments serves as a constant reminder of the post-conflict state of relations. Given these political circumstances, it is surprising to discover not the uniqueness of post-conflict cross-border cities but rather how these cities demonstrate compliance with patterns of behaviour of peaceful regions in developing municipal cooperation and realizing opportunities of interdependence.