Conflicts in the Middle East | Traditional Summary
Contextualization
The Middle East is a region of significant geopolitical and historical importance, situated at the intersection of three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its strategic location, combined with a vast cultural and religious diversity, makes this region a meeting point of civilizations, trade routes, and territorial disputes since ancient times. The complexities of the Middle East are amplified by its rich reserves of natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, which attract global economic interests and frequently trigger armed conflicts.
Since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the borders of the Middle East have been drawn by colonial powers, often without considering local ethnic and religious divisions. This resulted in the creation of new states and territorial tensions that persist to this day. Moreover, the religious significance of the region, with sacred sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, contributes to the complexity and intensity of conflicts. These historical and contemporary factors make the Middle East a continuous focus of instability and global attention.
Religious Issues
The religious divisions in the Middle East, primarily between Sunnis and Shiites, have deep roots dating back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad and the subsequent dispute over his succession. The division between Sunnis, who constitute the majority of Muslims, and Shiites, a significant minority, often results in tensions and sectarian conflicts in various countries in the region, such as Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. These divergences are exacerbated by theological and historical differences, in addition to power struggles.
Another crucial religious factor is the importance of Jerusalem, a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The presence of shared sacred sites, such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, often leads to conflicts, as each group wishes to maintain control over these sites. The dispute over Jerusalem is one of the main points of contention in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Furthermore, religious fundamentalism and the presence of extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (ISIS), further aggravate the situation. These groups use religion as a justification for acts of violence and terrorism, seeking to establish theocratic states and imposing rigid and extremist interpretations of Islam. This dynamic contributes to the perpetuation of conflicts and instability in the region.
-
Division between Sunnis and Shiites with deep historical roots.
-
Importance of Jerusalem for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
-
Presence of extremist and fundamentalist groups, such as the Islamic State.
Economic Issues and Natural Resources
The abundance of oil and natural gas in the Middle East makes the region a strategic center of global interest. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait have vast reserves of these resources, which are vital for the global economy. The dispute over control and access to these energy sources has been a significant cause of conflicts, both internal and external, with world powers often intervening to secure their economic interests.
Oil, in particular, plays a crucial role in the global economy, and its extraction and distribution are often targets of disputes. Instability in the region can lead to fluctuations in oil prices, affecting the global economy. Additionally, the wealth generated by oil has fueled internal rivalries in many countries, with factions competing for control of resources and, consequently, for political and economic power.
Another important point is the Suez Canal, which cuts through Egypt and is one of the most important maritime routes in the world. The canal facilitates trade between Europe and Asia, and its control is a point of tension, especially during conflicts. The strategic importance of the Suez Canal makes it a target in times of war, as occurred during the Suez Crisis in 1956.
-
Abundance of oil and natural gas as a cause of conflicts.
-
Impact of oil on the global economy and internal rivalries.
-
Strategic importance of the Suez Canal for global trade.
Territorial Issues and Borders
Territorial disputes are one of the main causes of conflicts in the Middle East, with the conflict between Israel and Palestine being one of the most prominent. The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent Arab-Israeli war resulted in massive displacements of Palestinian populations and a series of wars and intifadas. The question of borders and the dispute over territories such as the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem continue to be points of tension and conflict.
After World War I, the borders of the Middle East were drawn by colonial powers, primarily the United Kingdom and France, through the Sykes-Picot agreements. These borders often disregarded local ethnic, religious, and tribal divisions, resulting in the creation of states with heterogeneous populations often in conflict. These artificial arrangements have contributed to the instability and conflicts that persist to this day.
Moreover, the creation of new states and the demarcation of arbitrary borders have resulted in ongoing territorial disputes. Countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan face internal and external issues related to these artificial borders. The presence of ethnic minorities, such as the Kurds, who seek autonomy or independence, also contributes to the complexity of territorial disputes in the region.
-
Conflict between Israel and Palestine and territorial disputes.
-
Borders drawn by colonial powers after World War I.
-
Internal and external issues related to artificial borders.
International Interventions
The role of world powers, such as the United States and Russia, is significant in the conflicts of the Middle East. These powers often intervene in the region to protect their geopolitical and economic interests, supporting different factions and governments. For example, the United States has a long history of supporting Israel, while Russia has been a key ally of the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad.
Foreign interventions can both help and hinder the resolution of conflicts in the region. On one hand, these interventions can provide military and financial support to allied governments and groups, helping to stabilize certain areas. On the other hand, the presence of foreign forces can exacerbate local tensions, fueling anti-imperialist sentiments and prolonging conflicts.
Furthermore, geopolitical alliances and rivalries influence the dynamics of conflicts in the Middle East. Rivalries between the United States and Russia, for example, are reflected in their support for different sides in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts. These complex dynamics make the resolution of conflicts even more challenging, as each power seeks to promote its own strategic interests in the region.
-
Interventions by world powers such as the United States and Russia.
-
Impact of foreign interventions on the resolution of conflicts.
-
Geopolitical alliances and rivalries influencing conflicts.
Humanitarian Impacts
The consequences of the conflicts in the Middle East for the civilian population are devastating. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, becoming refugees or internally displaced persons. Countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen face severe humanitarian crises, with a lack of access to food, water, medical assistance, and shelter.
Humanitarian crises are exacerbated by the destruction of infrastructure and basic services. Schools, hospitals, and water and energy supply systems are often targets of bombing and attacks, leaving the population without access to essential services. Additionally, ongoing insecurity and violence hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians.
International organizations, such as the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, play a crucial role in attempting to mitigate these issues. They provide humanitarian assistance, protect human rights, and work to promote peace and security in the region. However, the magnitude of the crises and the logistical and security challenges make these tasks extremely difficult.
-
Displacement of millions of people, creating refugees and internally displaced persons.
-
Destruction of infrastructure and basic services, worsening humanitarian crises.
-
Role of international organizations in humanitarian assistance and protection of human rights.
To Remember
-
Conflicts in the Middle East: Armed disputes and tensions in the region due to religious, economic, territorial, and international intervention factors.
-
Religious Issues: Sectarian divisions and the importance of sacred sites that contribute to tensions and conflicts.
-
Economic Issues: Dispute over natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, and their importance to the global economy.
-
Territorial Issues: Disputes over borders and territories, often drawn without regard for local divisions.
-
International Interventions: Actions by world powers that influence the dynamics of conflicts in the region.
-
Humanitarian Impacts: Consequences of conflicts on the civilian population, including humanitarian crises and displacements.
Conclusion
Conflicts in the Middle East are complex and multifaceted, involving religious, economic, territorial, and international intervention issues. The divisions between Sunnis and Shiites, the importance of Jerusalem, and the presence of extremist groups are religious factors that perpetuate tensions in the region. The dispute over natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, and the strategic importance of the Suez Canal highlight the economic dimension of these conflicts.
The borders drawn after World War I, often disregarding local divisions, continue to generate territorial disputes, as exemplified by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Interventions by world powers, such as the United States and Russia, further complicate the resolution of these conflicts, as each power seeks to promote its own strategic interests.
The humanitarian impacts of conflicts are devastating, resulting in millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, in addition to the destruction of infrastructure and basic services. International organizations play a crucial role in attempting to mitigate these problems, but the challenges are immense. Understanding these conflicts is essential to becoming an informed citizen and capable of critically reflecting on global issues.
Study Tips
-
Review maps of the Middle East to better understand the location of countries and disputed borders.
-
Read articles and historical sources about the main conflicts mentioned, such as the creation of the State of Israel and the Gulf War.
-
Watch documentaries and short videos that address the different dimensions of the conflicts in the Middle East, to complement the knowledge gained in the classroom.
