Summary Tradisional | Conflicts in the Middle East: Review

Contextualization

Conflicts in the Middle East represent some of the most intricate and layered challenges in modern history. This region, steeped in ancient civilisations and home to the world’s major monotheistic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – has been the backdrop for numerous armed confrontations, territorial disagreements, and ethnic and religious tensions. The fall of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent partitioning of the Middle East by European powers in the early 20th century have left a legacy of national rivalry, civil strife, and insurgency. These conflicts ripple across the globe, influencing international security, the world economy, and diplomatic relations among various nations.

Interestingly, the Middle East is rich in some of the largest oil reserves globally, making it critical to the international economy. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq have a major say in oil prices worldwide, which in turn impacts fuel costs and the economies of countries far and wide, including Brazil.

To Remember!

The Palestinian Question

The Palestinian Question is a long-standing and convoluted conflict in the Middle East. It began in the late 19th century when Jewish immigrants arrived in Palestine, at that time part of the Ottoman Empire, in search of a national homeland. Following World War I, Palestine fell under British control, leading to increased tensions between Arabs and Jews. In 1947, the United Nations proposed splitting Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state, but this was rejected by the Arab contingent.

In 1948, Israel declared itself a state, igniting a conflict with neighbouring Arab nations. Israel emerged victorious from this war, expanding its territory beyond the UN’s proposed borders. This conflict resulted in the Nakba, or 'catastrophe,' for the Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands uprooted from their homes. Since then, the region has witnessed continuous conflict, including the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Various international efforts, such as the Oslo Accords in 1993, have attempted to pave the way for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but the issue remains unresolved, plagued by disputes over territory, settlements, and the quest for recognition of an independent Palestinian state.

• Origin of the conflict with Jewish migration in the late 19th century.

• Establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the Palestinian Nakba.

• The series of Arab-Israeli conflicts and the Oslo Accords.

Arab Spring

The Arab Spring refers to a wave of protests and revolutions that kicked off in December 2010 in Tunisia and rapidly spread to other nations in the Middle East and North Africa. This phenomenon was fuelled by a mix of factors like authoritarian governance, corruption, economic disparity, high joblessness, and a lack of political and social freedoms. The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, is often seen as the spark that ignited these protests.

In Tunisia, the unrest resulted in the expulsion of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled for over two decades. In Egypt, massive protests led to President Hosni Mubarak stepping down. However, in other countries, such as Libya and Syria, protests morphed into long-lasting armed conflicts and civil wars, leading to catastrophic consequences for their populations.

The Arab Spring significantly changed the geopolitical landscape of the region, reshuffling the power dynamics and creating fresh challenges. While some countries experienced positive transformations like free elections, the overall result was prolonged instability, humanitarian crises, and the emergence of extremist factions amid the chaos.

• Initiated in Tunisia in December 2010.

• Resulted in the fall of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

• Degenerated into civil wars in Libya and Syria.

Syrian Conflict

The Syrian conflict erupted in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring, with peaceful demonstrations against Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian regime. The government’s brutal crackdown on protesters triggered a rise in violence, giving way to a civil war. The situation quickly escalated, engulfing numerous rebel factions, including extremist groups like ISIS.

With the backing of allies such as Russia and Iran, the Syrian government managed to retain control over significant portions of the nation, while various rebel groups, supported by Western and regional powers, fought for dominance in other territories. This war has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises of the 21st century, displacing millions of Syrians both internally and abroad.

Beyond ground battles, the Syrian conflict carries immense geopolitical repercussions, creating a complicated web of international interests. The ongoing war has wreaked havoc on the country's infrastructure, and an entire generation of Syrians has been scarred by violence and displacement.

• Began with peaceful protests in 2011.

• Escalated into a civil war involving diverse factions.

• Created a significant humanitarian crisis with far-reaching geopolitical effects.

Rivalry Between Iran and Saudi Arabia

The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia stands as a central force driving conflicts in the Middle East. This fractured relationship is rooted in both religious differences and geopolitical ambitions, highlighting the schism between Shia Islam, dominant in Iran, and Sunni Islam, prevalent in Saudi Arabia. The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, which led to the establishment of a Shia theocracy, exacerbated this rivalry.

Iran and Saudi Arabia vie for influence in the region, each backing distinct groups and governments in proxy conflicts. For instance, in Yemen, Saudi Arabia supports the government against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. In Lebanon, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, wields substantial political power, which raises concernsfor Saudi Arabia and its allies.

This rivalry also manifests in diplomatic and economic spheres, as both nations strive to extend their influence and counter each other’s power. The tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia contribute to the ongoing instability, complicating resolutions to the existing conflicts and inhibiting peace efforts in the Middle East.

• Rooted in the religious divide between Shia and Sunni.

• The aftermath of Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979.

• Proxy confrontations in places like Yemen and Lebanon.

Key Terms

• Middle Eastern Conflicts: Armed disputes and geopolitical tensions in the region.

• Geopolitical boundaries: Territorial limits set by agreements or conflicts.

• Oil economy: A key economic sector in the Middle East given its vast reserves.

• Ethnic and religious conflicts: Disagreements rooted in ethnic and religious divides.

• Palestinian Question: The ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

• Arab Spring: A series of protests and revolutions in the Middle East starting in 2010.

• Civil War in Syria: An armed conflict that began in Syria in 2011.

• Iran-Saudi Rivalry: Geopolitical and religious competition between these nations.

• Kurdish Question: The Kurds' pursuit of an independent state.

• Geopolitics: The study of geographical influences on international politics.

• Global impacts: The effects of Middle Eastern conflicts on global economies and security.

Important Conclusions

Conflicts in the Middle East remain among the most intricate and multifaceted issues in contemporary history. This region is characterised by territorial disputes, ethnic and religious tensions, and geopolitical rivalries that extend far beyond its borders. Events like the establishment of Israel in 1948, the Arab-Israeli wars, the Arab Spring, and the civil war in Syria have all influenced the geopolitical dynamics in the area. Additionally, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with the Kurdish quest for autonomy, are critical components to understanding the underlying currents in current conflicts.

It’s essential to grasp these conflicts to analyse international security, the global economy, and diplomatic relations among countries. The Middle East's impact on the world economy, particularly due to its rich oil reserves, makes studying this region crucial for understanding fluctuations in fuel prices and economic volatility in nations, including Brazil. A thorough analysis of these events permits a deeper understanding of conflict triggers and repercussions, offering a more comprehensive perspective.

Ongoing exploration of the topic is highly encouraged, as it aids in understanding global news and events, as well as developing a critical viewpoint on geopolitics and human rights. The insights gained through this lesson serve as a foundation for further investigation into the complexities and interconnections of Middle Eastern conflicts, nurturing a commitment to continuous and meaningful learning.

Study Tips

• Review key historical events discussed in class, such as the formation of the State of Israel, the Arab Spring, and the Syrian civil war, using maps and timelines for enhanced comprehension.

• Dive into literature and articles by experts in Middle Eastern geopolitics to deepen your understanding of causes and ramifications of the conflicts.

• Stay updated with current news and analyses pertaining to the region to see how historical conflicts continue to shape the political and economic landscape in the Middle East today.