The Middle East - Essay Example

Essay I believe that the dominant theme of study in the Middle East today and in the future is the question of equality and civil rights for the citizens of the various countries that constitute the region. Many of the problems that currently occur in the region can find their root in a lack of equality within nations and among nations. Civil rights for individual citizens as well as broader economic opportunity are two of the key issues that are going to be at the center of debate now and well into the future. One of the conflicts in the Middle East that has inequality at its very heart is the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. This is perhaps the most unequal situation possible because the Palestinians have actually been denied citizenship in a properly functioning state for many years. The stresses of generations of refugee status have produced many bitter young people who see armed resistance as the only possible way of resolving their concerns. This persistent state of inequality, truly a political limbo, is fracturing the Palestinian people. Already they have separated themselves into factions supporting Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Statehood for the Palestinians, coupled with real opportunities for economic stability will go a long way towards stabilizing the situation. Palestinians and Israeli’s may actually find a way to coexist peacefully once the huge gap in equality has begun to be breached. Another source of inequality that looms large in the future for many states in this region is the question of economic opportunity and political representation. While the democracies of Western countries have their flaws, and are in no way a gold standard for governance, the fact remains that it is very difficult in this modern age to have a monarchy or a single party political state without resorting to heavy-handed tactics against the general population. This is going to be especially true in monarchies that rely heavily on petroleum exports to fund their budgets. When this precious resource is gone, a lack of economic opportunity and political representation will bode ill for these countries. Nations such a Syria and Iran already have repressive regimes that disenfranchise many of the citizens. Egypt has just had elections that were far from free and fair. In the Emirates and monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula, inequality between rich and poor, guest workers and the sexes is rampant. All of these social issues will be of growing importance when the petroleum dollars become less plentiful and these countries find that they have not spent their years of plenty wisely. Inequality of all types, gender, political and economic will continue to plague this region in the near future and for many years to come. It is currently the source of much of the strife in the region and will continue to be so for years into the future. Essay 2 The Middle East will continue to be on the foreign policy agenda of the United States for many years to come. There are three main reasons for this fact. The first reason the United States will continue to spend time, money and political capital on the Middle East is due to the presence of oil. The economic links between states such as Saudi Arabia and the United States will only grow stronger in the coming years. The United States will seek to do all they can to remain close allies with the Saudis. The recent Wiki leaks papers have shown that the Saudis have clearly called on the United States to deal with regional enemies such as Iran and Syria. This is a task that the United States sooner or later will be willing to do in exchange for keeping in good graces with the Saudis. The dependence of the United States on the oil of the Middle East can not be overstated enough. The second reason the United States will continue the engage the region diplomatically is the effort to detect possible terrorist threats before they become attacks on American soil. Improved relations with countries such as Oman and Yemen are proving vital to the United States and their so called “War on Terror”. The United States will need to continue to engage the region so that information can be shared between governmental agencies about possible terrorist activities. The information will surely flow both ways because many of the terrorist groups the United States want to target are viewed as rebels and insurgents by the current governments. This fact will open the door for increased intervention by United States operatives in the Middle East. The final reason the United States will continue to engage in diplomatic relations with the region is their continued support of Israel. The recently elected conservative congress in the United States has many members that view Israel as the Holy Land for Christians and Jews. They support the Israelis not just as a political entity, but also as a group that will fulfill prophecy as found in the Bible. The acceptance and strengthening of Israel will continue to be high on the foreign policy agenda for the United States. Having the United States continue to engage the region as a whole is a good thing. There can be no denying that alliance with the United States carries some hefty economic advantages. But so many citizens in the region mistrust the United States, they should not engage in negotiations for things like the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. They are not viewed as trustworthy so they would not be good mediators. In this sense, the EU might be able to supplant the United States’ role in the region. The problem with the EU is they do not have the depth of conviction for Israel or the military and economic power to supplant the United States in other areas. Europe may, however be able to take advantage of their geographical proximity to the region in regards to increasing trade with countries of the region. Another possibility that may link the European Union more closely with the region is the number of immigrants that have moved out of the Middle East and into Europe. This may perhaps be a generational issue, but immigration has traditionally built strong bonds between immigrants and host countries when cultural differences are understood and tolerated. If the European Union is going to build a stronger diplomatic presence in the Middle East, they will need to be a more tolerant group of nations in regards to Middle Eastern immigrants. Essay 3 The Middle East is a unique region with unique challenges. These challenges are closely linked to the scarcity of resources, equality, economic opportunity and culture. This region possesses millions of people that are devout in their faith, desire peace and want to have prosperity and happiness. Unfortunately, this may not be enough to tip the scales in favor of a bright future for the Middle East. Dark clouds on the horizon do not bode well for the future of the Middle East. The future for this troubled region is probably something to be feared and not welcomed unless some cultural and political changes take place. I have every hope of being optimistic about the future of all people. But a few things make me think that the future for this region should be feared. One major fear is the increasing number of individuals embracing radicalized versions of Islam. The thought in the West for many years was that if we could just bring enough money and economic opportunity to the people of the Middle East, then they would be less religious and less radical in their religion. Time has not proven this to be true. Radicalized Muslims are coming from all walks of life, both rich and poor. They are educated and illiterate. This is troubling because at this point the radical Islamists have their eyes set upon the West. It is just a matter of time before they turn their eyes on their own countrymen within the region. This is where the persistent inequalities within the countries of the region will really provide a good seedbed for radicalization. Once these Islamists set their sights on standing governments at home, the regimes will have no choice but to be more oppressive. Civil liberties will be even harder to find and less peace will be found in this already troubled region. The future could be a bright one, but radicalized Islam and inequality cast long shadows into the future. Read More