Key Causes of the Middle East Instability Since the End of the Second World War - Research Paper Example

The discussion shall proceed to the Israeli-Arab dispute and examine its origins and developments, and how these relate to the superpower intervention in the region, its advantages and disadvantages.  Thirdly, the role of oil exploration and exportation and the likely scenario in the economy shall be discussed. A particularly sensitive discussion of terrorism follows, and the ties it holds to the region’s fundamentalist Islamic segment. The Middle East is aptly named because it is situated where the great continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe converge.

  While the countries of the Middle East are considered part of Asia, there are many aspects of the varied cultures in this area that combine aspects of the cultures of the three continents that surround it. There are varied opinions concerning which countries comprise the modern definition of the Middle East.  Armenia and Azerbaijan, for instance, have historically been counted as Middle East countries, but because of the several interim contemporary developments, they have been accorded greater recognition as European countries, since their economic and political trends are more closely aligned with the greater Europe.

The same is true for the former Russian republic of Georgia, and of Cyprus. On the other hand, there is some confusion as to whether Egypt should be counted among the Middle East countries, whereas geographically it is contained within the African continent. Politically, however, there is little doubt that Egypt is more aligned with the Middle East than with Africa.