Gulf Coast History and Middle East Timeline - Assignment Example

Running Head: GULF СОАST HISTОRy АND MIDDLЕ ЕАST TIMЕLINЕ Gulf Сoast History and Middle Еast Timeline Name Course Tutor Date Part 1 Question 1 For a long time in history, the gulf coast has attracted western countries for several reasons. The history between the cost and western countries runs from the 1900s up to date. Several reasons have been quoted as the reason why countries such as Britain and France were interested in controlling the region. The main interest revolve around economic, political, international and social relations the two countries shave been in collaboration with other countries such as the United States in entrenching their interests of control in the region. First, the region is the richest in oil and natural gas resources that are very crucial to the survival Britain and France. The flows of these resources to the countries are a huge player in driving their economies and satisfying their overgrowing energy needs. Further. The gulf coast has also been experiencing instability which has threatened to jeopardise these interests. The two countries have resulted to making allies and in order to control the activities of countries considered unfriendly to the west. In this view, France and Britain have resulted to offering military aid and other infrastrucutal support in order to keep control over the region. Furthermore, the countries have huge investments in the country which have been threatened by instability in the region (Kelly, 1968). The waters in the region also accounted for significant trade which the two countries could not risk interruption. Question 2 As a result of the west being interested in the gulf coast, many wars and conflicts have emerged and still are. The Arab views of western countries have contributed to the conflicts and major wars that have taken place in the last century. France controlled Algeria since the 1930s. The Arabs in Algeria decided to end the oppression that had gone on for years in the country. Being a French colony, Algerians were subjected to harsh conditions of oppression and abuse of freedom during the struggle between 1954 and 1962, many Algerian were coerced to support the French and hose who failed were killed. Algerians viewed their colonisers as an oppressive regime that was willing to kill to keep their colony. The French were accused of torture during the war as they sought to retain their colony. The French colonisers were predominately Christian while Algerians were mainly Muslims. Due to the differences, the Arabs in Algeria saw the French as religious oppressors who were only interested in holding the wealthy country for their own gains. As a result of the atrocities committed during colonisation and the war, Algerians viewed western perceived western countries as oppressive and inconsiderate of human rights (Feraoun, & Le Sueur, 2000).. The pacification of Algerian nationals further contributed to the views regarding France and the west. Question 3 Effects of British protectorate on the Gulf Coast The British held the Gulf Coast as a protectorate until 1971. The regions which were controlled by British India included Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi among others. The main interest that Britain had in the region was to protect its trade relations in the region. This was especially in cargo shipments that passed through the Gulf Coast. The waters were notorious for issues of piracy and Britain wanted to take control of the waters to protect their trading interests. During the reign, Britain was able to control the region by entering into treaties with Sheikhdoms. As a result, they were able t collaborate in the process of pacification in the gulf region. Britain was also able to get hold of factors and such as conflicts and rebellion that threatened to affect the survival of British India. The essence of Britain entering into all these treaties was a strategic one. It established a Cordon Sanitare within the region (Onley, 2007). As a result, they were able to safeguard the interests of London and its other protectorates. Question 4 Political climate after British departure Britain had for a long time colonised the gulf region and established protectorates in the region. Britain had for long been interested in the gulf region especially due to interests of cargo shipments to the British Indian Empire. The countries that were under the brutish protectorate had already begun developmental programs when the British left. Protectorates that did not want to be included in in formation of different states formed their own countries. For instance, Bahrain and Qatar opted to secede from the Trucial states set up by the British. Other states joined to form countries that were governed depending on political supremacy of sheikhdoms. Up to date, these countries are governed by loyal families tat have led them since independence the countries chose to follow their culture in terms of political affiliations unlike what the British colonisers would have advocated for. In the past, Britain did not allow the states which it controlled in the protectorates to have any form of affiliation with foreign countries (Onley, 2007). When the British left, these countries were free from all treaties that the British had signed with them and were free to make their political decisions including agreements with other countries. Question 5 The United Arabs Emirates (UAE) was formed when sheikhdoms in the Arabian Peninsula in the southern part of the Persian Gulf came together. Britain had an influence in the formation f UAE as it entered into agreements in the 1800s to end piracy in the region as it sough interest s in the coast as well. Individual sheikhdoms were under British protection up to independence in 1971. Britain had established seven Trucial Coasts along the Persian Gulf. In 1971, some of the states decided to secede from the federation and gain their own independence. These were Qatar and Bahrain. The remaining Trucial States namely; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajamn, Al fujayrah, Umm Al Qaywayn and Sharja agreed to form a constitution which formed the UAE. Being under British rule for long influenced the formation of UAE (King, 2007). This is because of the long existing relationship with the sheikhdoms of the states that formed the country. The country had already established infrastructures that saw the country prosper to what it is today. Part 2 Question 1 Arab unity and relevance to the world The Arab countries have been at the centre of attention for a long time throughout history during this period, many incidences shave taken place and have shaped the Arab world, as we know it today the Arab world especially in the gulf region has been a frequent source of conflict in an internal and international perspective as well. Arab countries in the world are very significant to the global economy. They are also responsible fro the growth of their economies as well conflicts in the regions and apparent disunity between these countries has seen some prosper more than others. These countries control the majority of entry needs that are required globally. Stability in the region has already seen immense rises in energy costs despite attempts to regulate by OPEC. Safeguarding the region should benefit the Arab countries as well as the international community in a peaceful and agreeable manner. The unity of these countries is not only essential for the world but necessary (Salamé, 2013). Conflicts in countries such as Iraq and Iran have also seen desperate humanitarian crisis despite the immense wealth in the countries. As a result, world security has also been threatened by emergence of extremists who cause global conflicts in the name of protecting their wealth. In this view, global prosperity and growth is dependent on stability and Arab unity. Question 2 Is Arab unity possible? The world recognises the significance of the Arab world and the role it plays in shaping global politics, and economies. However, there have been many divisions between different Arab countries both internally and internationally. In this view, Arab nations have in history been engaged in armed conflict over various issues. For instance, Iraq and Iran have been in conflicts over issues such as political supremacy in the gulf region and recognition globally. Another issue that has been a source of conflict for many years is control of border resources which different nations have not been able to determine ownership this has seen destruction of resources worth billions of dollars over the years. First, Arab countries have that have conflicts with each other have established ties with western countries that are considered enemies. For instance Kuwait which was attacked by Iraq is considered a friend of the west and hence an enemy. The situation is further aggravated by military support that western countries provide to their Arab allies. However, unions such as he Arab league and The Emirates and Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) still provide some level of unity which has significantly affected the Arab world. Unity is therefore possible though not to a full extent (Fasano & Iqbal, 2003). Question 3 Alternatives Though some Arab countries have established ties between them, there are still other Arab nations that are still involved in internal and external conflicts. Uniting with these nations itself poses a challenge due to the need to protect their political and economic interests. Arab unity can, therefore, not be fully guaranteed. The Persian Gulf region holds more than 75% of global oil proven resources. As a result, other countries need this region and the unity of the Arab nations for their advantage. However, majority of countries have already established relations with unions such as the Gulf Corporation council and the UAE. Interests in countries that are considered aggressive are also important in uniting Arabs. Countries that seek interest s in some of these nations could establish bilateral ties in an independent manner. However, unions of Arab countries have a huge role to paly in ensuring that all Arab countries unite in a political and economic perspective. Organisations such as OPEC which control oil resources and pricing could also paly a huge role in determining unity among Arab nations. Question 4 “Internal conflict was rarely created by foreign meddling. The root of ethnic conflict in Arab countries is due to social, political, economic, and cultural inequalities. Foreign meddling just exacerbated pre-existing problems” The above statement is supported by the long history of internal and external conflict between Arabs themselves. In history Arab countries have allied themselves to attack and invade other Arab countries. For instance, Kuwait aided Iraq in attacking Iran during the Iran Iraq war. Later Iraq would attack Kuwait which was a former ally. The main reason for conflict in Arab countries is gaining political supremacy in a bid to control resources in the region that are in high demand in the west. Further, there have been territorial conflicts over oil fields where countries claim ownership especially along borders. To make the situation even worse, religious differences and discrimination of minorities has been rampant. Despite the oil wealth in the Arab countries, many still remain in poverty and only a few rich families control the entire economy. Religious differences for instance between the Sunni Shi’I and Shiite in Iraq and Iran have been a source of inter Islam conflict for many years (Abdo, 2013). Foreign meddling also aggravated the situation which was already pre-existing when they tried to revolutionise the Arab countries in a bid to stabilise them. This only created enmity and led to aggression between the Arab world and foreign countries. Question 5 Western foreign countries have been blamed for the explosion of dire situations in Arab countries. However, existing problems in the country were there long before foreign countries showed interests. Poverty in some of the Arab countries among the minority groups is also a source of problems in the countries. There are always violent conflicts in a bid to claim leadership and control of resources. Interests of foreign countries sought to democratise the Arab countries by introducing modern foreign ways. They were heavily rejected by the Arab cultures and beliefs. Further, the Arab countries saw the foreign countries as only to have interests in their wealth. However the situation ahs not been the same for all Arab countries. Some countries like the UAE and Qatar have been experiencing significant growth and stability despite the presence of foreign countries. They have been bale to manage their wealth and resource portfolios to their advantage. They have grown to have some of the best infrastructure and economic growth rates in the world. It is worth noting these Arab nations still practice their cultural, religious and political beliefs. References Abdo, G. (2013). The Arab Uprisings and the Rebirth of the Shi‘a - Sunni Divide. Washington D.C: Brookings. Fasano, U., & Iqbal, Z. ( 2003). Gcc Countries: From Oil Dependence to Diversification. International Monetary Fund. Feraoun, M., & Le Sueur, J. D. (Eds.). (2000). Journal, 1955-1962: Reflections on the French-Algerian War. U of Nebraska Press. Kelly, J. B. (1968). Britain and the Persian Gulf: 1795-1880. Clarendon P.. King, G. (2007). The History of the UAE: The Eve of Islam of the Islamic Period. Onley, J. (2007). The Arabian frontier of the British raj: merchants, rulers, and the British in the nineteenth-century Gulf. Oxford University Press. Salamé, G. (Ed.). (2013). The foundations of the Arab state. Routledge. Read More