Foreign policies in the Middle East - Essay Example

Kyle Negley Dr. Aldrich Introduction to Public Policy (Poly 120) 23 November Background information on foreign policy (Wright, Robin 212) defines the foreign policy, also referred to as foreign policy relations, as self-interest stratagems picked by a nation to safeguard its national welfares and to accomplish goals within its international association’s ambiance. The tactics are strategically engaged to interrelate with other countries. The research on such strategies is known as foreign policy analysis. Due to the excavating level of transnational activities and globalization, the nation will also require to interact with other actors so that the country can achieve its economic and social goals. The above-mentioned interaction is monitored and evaluated in efforts to maximize reimbursements of multilateral international collaboration (Wright, Robin 213) There are various ways through which countries relate. The most common agenda on establishment of foreign policies by any given country is to achieve the economic goals. Other goals include social-political development and military operations cooperation. There are so many factors that a country considers before establishing ties with another country. Some of these factors include religion, economic viability, and compatibility of ideologies among others. In this paper, religious factor will be taken into consideration to establish how it influences the level of cooperation among some nations. Thesis statement This research paper aims to scrutinize these policies as quantitatively as possible with the assistance of modern research. It also serves to explain why foreign policies in Middle East are so hugely affected by religion. Though there is a mix of factors which influences Middle East foreign policies, the factor of religion has been never left out. Religion is a very powerful means of controlling or shaping the image of Middle East. In addition, the article will explain other factors that nations consider when formulating foreign policies To achieve the goals of the article, foreign policies of Egypt and Syria towards Egypt will be considered. In this case, the essay will establish how the religious factor has influenced the ties between the two pairs of nations. The Middle East Despite a large number of dynamics that influences the Middle East foreign policies, the factor of religion has been predominant. Religion is a very powerful tool that controls and shapes the image of Middle East. A growing body of research for years has scrutinized the relationship between Islam and regional politics of the Middle Eastern nations. This article seeks to reinforce the notion that religious beliefs and concerns dictate the politics of the Middle Ea st and the foreign affairs. Religion is entrenched in foreign policy making, so this paper aims to illustrate how the two entities are inextricably linked to one another and why this link affects the outcomes of those foreign policies. The countries covered in this discussion are Egypt, and Syria. Egypt Foreign policy for Israel Egypt and Israel share a common border which has two official closing: one at Nitzana and the other at Taba. Before full ambassadorial relations were established in1980, Israel and Egypt had had undergone a state of war which culminated to the 1973’s Yom Kippur Warfare. The then United States of America brokered peace between the two nations. In this case, a deal was arrived at leading to Israel establishing an embassy in Cairo. History Concord between Israel and Egypt has persisted for more than three decade and Egypt has become an imperative strategic companion of Israel. In January 2011, a senior military official stated that the cooperation between Egypt and Israel goes beyond economic ties to being close friends and partner. Nonetheless, the association is sometimes labeled as a "cold peace’ ’with many in Egypt unconvinced about its effectiveness. The Arab-Israeli skirmish kept dealings cool and anti-Israeli incitement is predominant in the Egyptian mass media. In 2003, Egypt entered Israeli territory and monitored the nuclear research amenities at Palmachim Airbase and Nahal Sorek. Israel threatened to bombard the drones down in case similar offence is repeated. Even though diplomatic relations were created in the year 1980, the Egyptian envoy to Israel was evoked between 1983 and 1988 then between 2002 and 2005. Muslim brotherhood factor in Egypt Muslim brotherhood is a very ancient and strong Islamic concept which also affects the foreign policies in Middle East. Muslims have been historical known to engage in wars to defend and support their weaker Muslim brothers. Therefore, when Egyptian president Anwar Sadat showed interest in making peace initiatives with Israel in 1977, the pro-Palestinian country Iraq strongly criticized Egypt and relations between the two countries estranged (Alam 42). This is because of the role played by religion that foreign relation of Iraq with Egypt ruptured. In order to show concrete support for Palestinians and disapproval for Egypt’s relaxed policies, Iraq also held an Arab League summit in Baghdad in 1978 to banish Egypt for backing up Israel. In this summit, all Arab countries were urged by Iraq to shun Egypt in support of Palestinian Muslims (Alam 43). Iraqi government itself decided to boycott all those “Egyptian companies which dealt with Zionist establishments” (Alam 43). Syria’s Foreign policy for Israel According to (Walker, Stephen, and Malici and Akan 115), religion is the dominant and most influential ideology on both social and political levels in Middle East. While Sunni Islam is dominant in most Middle East states, Syria is strongly influenced by Shia Islam. In this case, experts argue that Syria supports international policies will always seek to defend the religious outfit Shia Islam (Haynes). International relations of Syria with other Middle Eastern countries like Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran have always been strained due to division of followers into Sunni and Shia branches. In addition, policymakers happen to be to religion, the stricter their policies and international relations are for those countries which support or tolerate Islamic forces. For example, Israel is considered a strong adversary by all countries in the Middle East though Jordan has a tolerant approach to Israel’s actions and has friendly foreign relations with Israel like Egypt (Walker and Malici 285). But, both Iraq and Lebanon refuse to recognize the state of Israel (Wiegand 143) which indicates strong religious involvement in foreign affairs of these countries. Investigation into Syria’s foreign policy reveals that one of its main ambitions is to upgrade the country’s influence in the region among other Arab countries (Freedman 185). This is because Syria is quite isolated in Middle East and faces many ongoing domestic problems due to tense relations with her neighbor Muslim countries (Freedman 185). This isolation of Syria is not only true in context of Middle East, but the country has also been more isolated over time with the international community. (Dickinson, Elizabeth 451) observes that Israel cannot establish any close ties with Syria owing to the fact that the two nations observe religions at extreme. Arabs in Syria observes the Islamic teachings while Israelites are Christians. In this case, Syria will only pursue foreign policies that are in line with Islamic teachings. On the other hand, Israel will only accept policies that have negligible Muslims In 2010, the President of Syria, Bashar, faulted Israel of avoiding peace. At the same time, Syrian minister for foreign affairs, Walid Muallem, warned that in the incident of imminent war, Israeli cities would be besieged by Syrian weaponry. Israeli External Minister reacted by declaring that the Syrian army would be conquered in a confrontation with Israel. Analysts at the international scenes assert that the correspondence between the two rival nations clearly points to the depth within which the two nations are willing to go in order to defend their religion (Fisk, Robert 500). Analysis Though experts assert that a people are inseparable from its religion, Syria and Israel would accrue a lot of benefit through mutual courtesy. It is agreeable that religion plays a significant role in shaping a state. However, religion tolerance should be encouraged across the globe so that countries such as Syria and Israel can come together for mutual economic and social benefits. Though there are minimum ties between Israel and Syria, many benefits would be accrued to the status quo too. Israel’s most intoxicating neighbouring radical threat, Hezbollah, is bleeding worryingly on the ground and fronting greater challenges to its legitimacy and support at home as a concern. Moreover, with the worlds consideration increasingly motivated on Syria moderately than on Gaza, Israel’s foot dragging on dialogues and steady destruction of any chances for the two countries to come together. Religious convictions and concerns significantly affect Syria’s foreign policy. But, one important outcome of such foreign policy has been that it has made Syria increasingly isolated in Middle East among her neighbor Arab nations. It has also made the country unpopular with the West. Both Sunni Arab countries and America dislike Syria for displaying regardless support for Iran while barbarically treating thousands of local protestors. Research also claims that Syrian civil war has intensely damaged international reputation of Syrian president (Rosendorf). Despite this growing isolation, Assad seems to be in complete denial and said in one of his addresses that despite economic problems, Syria is stable because the government’s foreign policy attempts to mirror the beliefs of the people (Issacharoff). Israel and America are not popular with the Syrian people. This is why the government’s foreign policy is both anti-Israel and anti-West. However, foreign policies of Iran are approved by Syrian government because Assad himself benefits from this profitable association with Iran. Research claims that thousands of Iranian troops have been sent to Syria to thrash the Sunni rebellion which proves that Iran is now more than ever “fully committed to preserving Assad’s regime” (Fisk). So, Syria supports Iran in times of pressure just as much as Iran supports Syria. For example, while commenting on Iran’s influential importance both in Middle East and international community, Assad has claimed that Iran is a country which cannot be overlooked (Issacharoff). Other factors that affect a country’s foreign policy Power Within internal politics, power is commonly based on wealth, numbers, and organizational skills. A small cluster that is well structured may exercise sizeable influence even when deprived of large amounts of money.  In global politics, power depends on both geopolitical aspects and idiosyncratic features. Different countries in world fluctuate in their powers. The US is the world’s super power; hence have highest influence in its overseas policies. There exist micro-states and numerous territories that are not independent such as colonies. The power of government depends on the following: size, population, resources, technology among others (Alam, Mahboob 671). Objectives of the Foreign Policy The objects of any state give course to its foreign policies. Such objectives may differ greatly but all countries pursue to maintain their independence, preserve themselves and improve their security. For example, economic growth has played a principal role in shaping Syria’s foreign policy with Israel.  The need to trail an open economic strategy and the plea for foreign investment and capital flows has dictated many countries’ foreign policy, (Alam, Mahboob 672). Leadership It matters who is the elected leader of a particular republic. Elites and the Leaders who support such government help to profile the overseas policy of their individual countries Other determinants include military strength, economic capability, type of government and willingness and readiness to cooperate, (Alam, Mahboob 673). Conclusion The essay has clear demonstrated how the theme of religion plays a significant role during formulation of foreign policies. The discussion has portrayed the Middle Eastern foreign policies as among the most complex policies globally. Though the region of Middle East is crowded with states experiencing political and civil conflicts, the region formulates policies that are unpopular among countries that would help them resolve their issues. Furthermore, they formulate policies that are religiously influenced and hence they are rarely tolerated by nations that do not have similar beliefs. This distinguishes Middle East from many other countries where religion has just begun to play an important role. But, this involvement of religion has led to some unpleasant outcomes also. For example, it has served to isolate Syria from rest of the Middle East and international world and it has also promoted the rise of extremist groups in Kuwait. In addition, unpopular foreign policies have attracted the attention of powerful countries such as America and Israel. On the part of Egypt, their foreign policy toward Israel is unwarranted. Egypt, despite the influence of Muslim brotherhood attitude, has adopted foreign policies that are moderate. In this case, the nation is likely to attract positive attention which will further close the economic ties with America, Israel among other countries Works cited: Alam, Mahboob. Iraqi Foreign Policy Since Revolution. Mittal Publications, 1995. Print. DeYoung, Karen. “Kuwait, ally on Syria, is also the leading funder of extremist rebels.” The Washington Post. Washingtonpost.com, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. Dickinson, Elizabeth. Shaping the Syrian Conflict from Kuwait. Mideastafrica.foreignpolicy.com, 04 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. Fisk, Robert. “Iran to send 4,000 troops to aid President Assad forces in Syria.” The Independent. Independent.co.uk, 16 Jun. 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. Freedman, Robert O. The Middle East Enters the Twenty-first Century. University Press of Florida, 2002. Print. 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