Middle East Conflagration Solution & Peace
After decades of misguided US and Western policies, the region now faces several separate but connected conflicts. Now we see genocide in Gaza and Israel and Hezbollah are at war Iran involved in multiple conflicts including direct confrontation with Israel. Now the dangers of all out conflict between Israel and Iran lurks in the corner.
The Roots and Realities
Since the mid-20th century, the Middle East has been a hotspot of volatility. The undercurrent in all these conflicts was the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The following is the background on all the conflicts.
Colonial Legacy: The Middle East crisis, especially the Israel-Arab conflict, has deep roots in the region's colonial past. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, European colonial powers-primarily Britain and France- divided the Middle East into new nation-states under the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916. The Balfour Declaration (1917) further exacerbated tensions by supporting the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine. This legacy of colonialism is deeply intertwined with the territorial disputes between Israel and its Arab neighbors, particularly the Palestinians. Israel's Occupation: For half a century, Israel's occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip has resulted in numerous Arab-Israel conflict in the region. Since the occupation first began in June 1967, Israel's ruthless policies of land confiscation, illegal settlement and dispossession, coupled with rampant discrimination, have inflicted immense suffering on Palestinians, depriving them of their basic rights and speed up the emergence of Hamas and Hezbollah. As a direct consequence of occupation the region saw many violent conflicts.
Hezbollah in northern frontline: Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982 forced thousands of PLO fighters to flee to other countries. Its ongoing occupation sparked fury among Lebanon's Shiites and the creation of Hezbollah, a militia armed, trained, and aided by Iran. Israili confrontation with Hezbollah and Hamas resulted in many conflicts in the Middle East.
Israel - Hamas conflict: With the PLO sidelined after Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982, tensions between the Palestinians and Israel deepened in the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank. Amid disputes among the Palestinians, Hamas seized control of Gaza while Fatah led the West Bank government. Hostility between Israel and Hamas flared into conflicts in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023. On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched cross- border raids in the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
Israel-Iran: Since 1985, Iran and Israel have been engaged in an ongoing proxy conflict that has greatly affected the geopolitics of the Middle East, and has included direct military confrontations between Iranian Axis of Resistance and Israel. Overall, the Iran-Israel proxy conflict is a complex and ongoing conflict that has had a significant impact on the political and security dynamics of the Middle East.
Iran United States: The US seeks to maintain its hegemony in the Middle East. By contrast, Iran aspires to be the dominant power in the region. This power politics between the two giants has always been an undercurrent issue in all the conflicts in middle east.
Houthi Wars in Yemen: Yemeni Civil War has been part of a complex and prolonged conflict that involves local, regional, and international actors. The roots of the conflict trace back decades, but the current phase began in 2014 after Houthi insurgents seized capital Sanaa. The prolonged civil war deprived many in the impoverished region of their basic rights. In October 2023, the Houthis started attack on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Hamas.
Iran-Saudi Arabia: The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is not merely about religious differences but about broader geopolitical dominance in the Middle East. Both nations aspire to be the leading power in the region, with influence over key strategic waterways (like the Strait of Hormuz), energy markets, and political movements. Their competition has shaped the outcomes of several conflicts, exacerbated sectarian divides, and influenced the foreign policies of global powers. In March 2023, there have been moments of potential de-escalation when Iran and Saudi Arabia announced a Chinese-brokered deal to restore relations after decades of enmity and a formal cutting of ties in 2016.
External Influences
◆ United States: The US has played a dominant role in the Middle East since the end of World War II. Its role driven by interest resulted in destrablization in the region. The U.S. also maintains a strong alliance with Israel, providing military aid and political support and always disregard Palestinian cause in favor of Israel.
◆ Russia: Russia has reasserted itself as a key player in the region, particularly through its military intervention in Syria. Russia's involvement often counters US and Westem interests, adding another layer of complexity to the region's conflicts.
◆ European Countries: European powers, particularly France and the UK, maintain historical ties to the region from the colonial era. While European nations are often involved diplomatically, they have also contributed to conflicts through arms sales, particularly to countries involved in the Yemen war.
Path to Peace in the Middle East
Achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires a comprehensive approach that addresses not only the root causes of conflicts but also promotes co-operation, understanding, and sustainable development. The initiatives include as following.
◆UN Mediation and Peacekeeping: For sustainable peace, the UN must engage in proactive diplomacy, including setting up peace conferences with key stakeholders (Iran, İsrael, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, etc.). The UN's Security Council must move past geopolitical deadlocks and prioritize humanitarian needs.
◆End of occupation: Israel must end its brutal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which it has maintained since 1967. The world must recognize that ending Israel's illegal occupation is a prerequisite to stopping the recurrent conflict in the region.
◆Regional Dialogue: Establishing direct channels for dialogue between regional powers like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel is essential. A platform where rival powers can negotiate over their interests is critical to reducing proxy warfare. Initiatives like the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some Arab states, demonstrate the possibility of diplomacy.
◆ Ceasefires and Disarmament: International organizations should encourage temporary ceasefires as a stepping stone to longer-term disarmament. Negotiated reductions of arms in conflict zones like Yemen, Gaza, and Lebanon could help de-escalate tensions.
◆Diplomatic Recalibration: The United States, while maintaining its strategic interests, needs to adopt a more balanced approach that doesn't alienate Arab and Muslim countries by appearing overtly one-sided in favor of Israel. It should also encourage multilateral diplomacy involving regional powers to mediate conflicts.
The path to peace in the Middle East is complex but not unattainable. A multi-dimensional approach that includes international mediation, grassroots engagement, education, and alignment with sustainable development goals is essential. International organizations like the UN must continue their peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts. Education and cultural exchange can promote tolerance and understanding, helping to reduce long-standing prejudices. This holistic approach is necessary for building a future where stability and peace can flourish in the region.
