The Middle East: A War-Torn Region?
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Whether we discuss Ancient Mesopotamia or the modern-day conflicts shaping the region, the idea that the Middle East "has always been at war" is a common phenomenon. But is this observation necessarily an inevitability?
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A Historical Take
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For thousands of years, civilization has thrived in what is now the Middle East. From the rise and fall of empires – the Babylonians, Persian, Greeks, and more – to the creation and evolution of various religious convictions, the region has lived through periods of peace as well as conflict.
Prior to the 20* century, most territorial conflicts in the Middle East were fought between emperors, sultans, and caliphs. These battles often saw armies clash over trade networks, resources, and matters of faith. In time, the region experienced interludes of relative equilibrium, such as during ancient Greek and Roman periods **.
However,
the 20 century has seen a stark acceleration of conflict
beginning with the aftermaths of World War I; the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian (1918) and British (1922) Caliphates; the Cold War (1947-present); and the modern Gulf Wars (1990 onwards).
The Interregional Context
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Before we delve deeper,
it’s crucial to consider the global dynamics during this period
Specifically, the Cold War, the rise of United States and Soviet Union-backed proxies, and the confluence of regional actors creating an environment ripe for power struggles.
Middle-Eastern Actors and their Aspirations
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Here, we have both internal and external forces creating tension:
• Saudi Arabia and Iran’s Vying for Regional Influence
• Israel’s Continued Existence and Conflict History
• Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty (Peace Treaty of 1978)
• Arabic–Israeli Conflict and regional alliances
• Other regional players, such as Turkey, Iraq, & Iran
• Rise of extremist ideologies i.e., ISIS & Jihadism
• Divided Loyalties & Cross-border Conflicts </superstare]
What do these factors add?
• Complex Interim Alliances and Diplomacy
• Ethic MinoritY Inversions and Border DisputE
• **Power Games, Proxy Wars & Militarization
• Strategic Alliances and Confidental Information Sharing
• 4th Generation Warfare Strategie
• Proxy Intervention
• Regional ConfIdential Information Sharing
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