Environment, Culture, and Political Issues of the Middle East - Research Paper Example

? Research Paper: Environmental Studies Research Paper: Environmental Studies By the term MiddleEast, it can be understood that it is not near East or Far East. It includes different countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, U.A.E, Yemen, and many others. Like every other country or region, Middle East also has its own culture, religion, economic conditions, and environment. Moreover, it has its impact on the rest of the world through its economic activities (majorly through oil export). This paper aims to critically present my own perspective regarding the Middle East; its environment, culture, political issues, religion, and the situation of war in the region. Furthermore, the paper will also provide my own viewpoint regarding a positive relationship between the people of Middle East and the USA. After reading different course books, study material, and presentations on the topic I am glad to say that I have a complete different perspective regarding the Middle East. My pool of knowledge has increased through the videos I have watched and the news I have read as a part of the course. Initially, I did not have a clear understanding regarding the entire Middle East. I was familiar with only chief countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and U.A.E. etc., however, it was because of this course that I am able to understand the inside stories of various countries in Middle East, which I did not know. Moreover, it has also allowed me to observe things from a neutral perspective. The environment of Middle East is usually hot, dry, and humid. There are vast deserts in the region encompassing hundreds of kilometers. This does not let irrigation or agriculture in most of the Middle Eastern countries. However, it came to my knowledge that regardless of this extreme dry weather, the region produces date palms and olives in large quantities. Both these commodities are the chief intake for many within the Middle East. Moreover, the oil reservoirs in the Arab countries surpass the oil reserves of any other region in the world1. This, however, is a bit frightening as various conflicts are present over the issue of oil reserves in the Middle East. Iran, Iraq, Libya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE, etc are all major exporters of oil to the international markets and member of OPEC2. It is through the export of oil to the rest of the world particularly the West that the countries are able to meet their economic needs. Sadly, the war, which started between America and some member countries of the Middle East, has given rise to various issues. The war led by America in the name of war against terrorism has killed as many as 1000,000 Iraqis so far since 2003 and has also destroyed various cities and oil reserves of the region3. It is not appropriate for me at this stage to decide whether it is the war against terrorism or to conquer the extensive oil reserves. It was indeed sad for me to know that the conflict started after the issue of 9/11 in which thousands of US citizens along with others were killed. 5 Guantanamo detainees claimed the attack. They held themselves responsible for the attack saying that it was a response to the support of US for Israel4. The Middle Eastern particularly the Palestinians have suffered a lot because of the wars that are led by Israel. The Jews always had issues with the Muslims and so did the Muslims with Jews. This gave rise to various conflicts inside and outside the Middle East. Many did not appreciate the support of US for Israel. Islam is the major religion that is practiced in the Middle Eastern countries as per the guidelines given to them through the Quran. The Jews are considered as anti-Muslim element. They have always tried to lower the esteem of Muslims through different wars, conflicts and debates. In my perspective, this is huge cycle in which all issues are interconnected to each other in one way or another5. According to my critical thinking, the reason behind the rise of these issues is the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the impression of Muslims as terrorists in the US. Moreover, it can also be assumed that huge oil reserves can be a source of attraction for many countries including Israel. The support for the US for Israel is may be because of being a world power or it can be to control and overpower the oil capitals of the region. Whatever, the issue is, it has brutally killed thousands of innocent civilians both in the Middle East and in the USA. It came into my knowledge through the course that the Anti Americanism is greatly fueled by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A survey was conducted in 2003, by Pew Global Attitudes, which concluded the major attitudes of the majorities in Arab and Muslim countries. It was found that 90% people in Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, and Lebanon think that USA has been favoring Israel unduly. Another survey was recently conducted which showed that the people 90% of the people in Arab countries were in favor of the Jews. It was also found that 90% of the population had positive opinions regarding Christians6. This certainly made me realize and understand that the major conflict is between Israel and Palestine, which has given way to numerous issues in the Middle East, including religion, trade, oil export, and a list of other geo political issues. I am greatly influenced after the readings that the conflicts between USA and Middle East has no grounds, except for that of terrorism in Iraq and Iran. However, a positive relationship can be formed between the two regions to promote peace and end the conflicts and wars. Just like the reports showed that the Middle Eastern people have no hard feelings for Christians it can be assumed that the Americans also must not be having any grudges against the Middle Eastern Muslims. The need is to identify the underlying reasons behind these issues and to completely shrink them. This will ultimately result in a new era of peace and will help ending various conflicts and issues going on in the world. BIBLIOGRAPHY British Opinion. "The British Opinion Research Business." orb-international.com. January 2008. http://www.orb-international.com/Newsroom_details.aspx?NewsId=120 (accessed November 14, 2013). Held, Colbert C., and John Thomas Cummings. Middle East Patterns: Places, Peoples, and Politics . Boulder: Westview Press, 2010. Ma?oz, Moshe. Muslim attitudes to Jews and Israel : the ambivalences of rejection, antagonism, tolerance and cooperation. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press, 2011. Nasaw, Daniel. "Five Guantanamo detainees claim responsibility for September 11 attacks." theguardian.com. March 10, 2009. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/10/guantanamo-detainees-september-11-2001 (accessed November 14, 2013). OPEC. "About OPEC." opec.org. 2013. http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/17.htm (accessed November 14, 2013). Read More