The Influences on Security Dynamics of Middle East - Essay Example

The Influences on Security Dynamics of Middle East al Affiliation Introduction The current security dynamics in the Middle East is influenced by factors and issues that face the region. These factors and issues have either affected the security in the Middle East counties directly or indirectly. The security concerns, and dynamics in the Middle East continue to be a very complicated one and it is because of this that various countries in the region have faced difficulty in handling security concerns in the region. Major Factors Influencing Security Dynamics in the Middle East According to Eisenstadt & White (2006) the conflict that has persisted between the Israeli and the Palestinians continue to affect stability in the Middle East. This hotbed has continued to influence the security dynamics in the region basically due to the duration of the conflict. This is in addition to the absence of any form of strong arbitration in the conflict. The Israeli – Palestinian conflict has persisted for over 60 years now. This conflict and tension between the two countries has challenged regional peace in the Middle East and undermined the stability in the Middle East (Barry & Colp, 2008). The tension present between Palestine and Israel has been cited to be the cause of the open hostilities in the region. The hostilities being experienced are both symmetric and asymmetric in nature. In addition to the open conflicts, the tension has resulted in an arm race in the wider Middle East region. There have been attempts to end the tension and conflict by establishing and also normalizing the diplomatic relation between the two states, but the attempts have not been successful (Cordesman, 2005). Despite the argument that both countries are willing to bring the conflict to an end, no concrete move has been made towards achieving this. This has, therefore, ensured that the war between these two counties continues to influence and dedicate the situation in the Middle East. The last three decades has witnessed an upsurge in the sectarian strife in the Middle East. The sectarian upsurge between the Shiites and the Sunnis continues to influence the dynamics of security in the Middle East. The rise of sectarianism has been witnessed in the recent Arab uprisings that faced the Middle East and the entire Arab world. The rebels in the Middle East, as well as some governments, rely on the communal allegiance to be able to attain their ambitions. This reliance on communal allegiance has been for example blamed for the security issues that have been witnessed in Bahrain. The Sunni and Shiite rebels and government continue to strive to achieve their ambitions at the expense of regional and national security in the Middle East (Cordesman, 2005). The social and the ideological changes in the region have been blamed for the continued reliance on communal allegiance which has in turn influenced security state in the Middle East. Sectarian tension and the political sectarianism in Middle East in countries such as Iraq have dictated the security situation in the Middle East. Some Arabs countries have, on the other hand, tried to form conducive political environments that allow the countries to move away from religious sectarianism. This is meant to help the counters to ensure that security is bolstered both at the national level and in the regional level. Carol (2003) states that Iran has continued to impact the security condition in the Middle East; This has came in the from of various plans and programs that Iran has been involved in such as the chemical weapons that it has been accused of developing. Gawdat (2007) states that from the 1970s, the political discourse that has been seen in Iran has heavily influenced security dynamics in the Middle East. This comes in form of the threats and intimidations that Iran gives towards many countries in the Middle East. Iran has also given help to terrorist and extremist organizations such as Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Various countries have accused Iran of using its agents to interfere with the internal affairs of other nations. This has created tension between Iran and the Gulf countries thereby influencing security in the region. Despite the argument by Iran government that its nuclear program is a peaceful one, it has became an influencing factor in the security dynamics in the region by becoming a source of threat. It has also become an excuse for the neighbors to engage in similar programs. Religious extremism is also a concern when it comes to security in the Middle East. Countries like Yemen continue to suffer from religious extremism. This has directly and indirectly contributed to instability in the region (Gawdat, 2007). The existence of the terrorist and armed extremist groups has influenced the security state in the Middle East. Religious extremism has resulted in the coming up of armed terrorist groups such as the Al Qaeda, which has greatly undermined stability in the region and influenced the Middle East security status and dynamics. Those individuals who sympathize with the ideologies of the extremist groups support their activities and follow the example that they set thus affecting the security situation in the Middle East either directly or indirectly. The recent Arab uprisings have also added another variable to the security dynamics in the Arab world and the Middle East. The uprisings were generally influenced by the similar uprising in Arab counties like Egypt and Tunisia (Gawdat, 2007). The emergence of the uprisings and their growing popularity in the Middle East also dictated the security situation in the region. Areas that have experienced these uprisings have faced a lot of security challenges. Summary of the Findings Generally speaking, the security dynamics and situation in the Middle East is greatly influenced by four major factors. These factors include the Israeli- Palestinian tensions, the Iranian threat, the sectarianism upsurge in the region and religious extremism. These four affect the security of the Middle East countries either directly of indirectly. Conclusion Security in the Middle East region is basically affected by factors that tend to be specific to the region and the Arab world. There have been efforts to alleviate some of these factors. However, the above four factors still greatly influence the Middle East security dynamics. References Carol L. (2003). The Middle East: some new realities and old problems. International Social Science Review, 78(5), 67-78. Cordesman, A. (2005). The Israeli-Palestinian War: Escalating to Nowhere. Portsmouth: Praeger Publishers Inc. Barry, R. & Colp R. (2008). Chronologies of Modern Terrorism. London: Sharpe. Eisenstadt, M. & White, J. (2006). Assessing Iraq’s Sunni Arab insurgency. Military Review, 86(6). Gawdat B. (2007). Terrorism in the Middle East. The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies, 32(3), 8. Kimberly, M. (2009).The danger of tribal militias in Afghanistan: learning from the British Empire. Journal of International Affairs, 63(9), 67-68. Read More