Conflict in the Middle East - Essay Example

Conflict in the Middle East Introduction Apparently, the world would not be termed as peaceful neither as experiencing conflict or war since it comprises of numerous parts that experience different political temperatures at different times. One perfect example of parts that are experiencing heightened political temperature is the Middle East. Basically, Middle East has now been termed as a conflict region as a result of the numerous political, social and economic challenges that it has experienced (Dana, 2001). According to Bercovitch & Jackson (2009), Middle East has conflict as an issue that keeps repeating in areas such as international politics, academic literature, and the ongoing coverage of news. Apparently, this region has gone into history books due to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict that has lasted for the past fifty five years. Similarly, the last twenty-five years have witnessed two more wars that have been marked by international participants for instance, Iraq in 1991 and 2003, notwithstanding bloodshed during the interstate war of Iran and Iraq between 1980- 1988. Consequently, Blagojevic (2009) argues that the region also neighbor other states that also experiencing conflict which have been present for as a long period of time such as Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Sudan both North Sudan and Southern Sudan with the inclusion of the Horn of Africa. The Civil conflict in the Middle East is not an exception to Global war but an indication that different ideologies in one region could emanate from unresolved political, social and economic that do not have to involve bloodshed to be resolved amicably. Sources of Conflict A study conducted by Sorli, Gleditsch & Strand (2008) articulates that, conflict region experience the highest levels of political, social and economic challenges. As such, Middle East has had social issues of water disputes in most of its parts. Additionally, the region has continually experience sluggish economy since most of its time has been spent in war. Other scholars have argued that there is an assumption of uniqueness that characterizes the region and makes its susceptible to conflict, autocracy and economic misery. Of importance to note is that, out of twenty nine recorded armed conflicts across the world, twenty five of them are domestic and international wars that are marked by battle-related casualties. Another study that utilizes modified civil war model developed by Collier and Hoeffler indicates that Middle East region confirmed that Middle East was a region that was filled by conflict even though Africa and Asia have also been argued to experience more conflict for the past few years (Albert, 2000). In comparison to other regions, Middle East is the only region that practices authoritarian regimes and has its economy fully dependent on oil extractions. Similarly, the main religion is Islam which is associated with Israeli –Palestinian conflict. Collier- Hoeffler model commonly known as CH model has been used severally in the empirical study of Civil wars across the world. Furthermore, the model has been associated with one of the most publicized World Bank report on civil war (Solimano, 2005). Theories of Civil war In his book, Demirdogen (2011) argues that the history of civil war is mostly associated with ethnic and religious with inclusion of political, economic and social discrimination. Conversely, some scholars have argued that opportunity or greed could be said to give discreet explanation pertaining to civil conflict. It is worth noting that civil war is not portrayed by high level of grievance, but as a result of greed that has a silent force (Fawcett, 2013). Apparently, a different school of thought on the theory of civil war argues that the outbreak of civil conflict is mostly ignited by a number of issues such as frustrations, accessibility to finance, weapon and solders and more so a common identity. Consequently, a substantial number of literatures have continually discussed the close relationship between civil war, economic growth and natural resources. In a general sense, the most applicable theory -CH model has ascertained the two most crucial factors namely; high levels of grievance and opportunity to come up with rebel groups that result to civil conflict (Olson Lounsbery & Pearson, 2009). Authoritarianism Scholars against the CH model have pointed out that there is a connection between democracy and conflict. Essentially, democratic countries as opposed to authoritarian countries tend to experience less civil conflicts and related issues due to the presence of limited causes of grievances (Funk & Said, 2004). Nevertheless, authoritarian regimes are known to have less conflicting issues because the opposition is not given the expected freedom to air their grievances, but instead they receive harsh repression from the sitting government (Fink, 2012). As a result, the empirical study that analysis this source of conflict indicates that curvilinear nature of relationship denotes that the high level of authoritarianism experienced in Middle East could not be separately used to account for high level of conflict in the region. Oil extraction It is worth noting that natural resources are some disputable factors have brought about civil conflicts in various parts of the world such as Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Consequently, oil has for the past few decades been the economic backbone of the country. According to Gelvin (2014) the presence of oil signifies intense wealth for the country meaning that different groups of people supporting different political groups might decide to engage in intrastate war in order to secure such resources. In reference to Middle East, the presence of oil is most parts of the region agitate chances and greed to own part of the natural resource. Major religion Needless to mention, Islam is the main religious group in the region. As such, Gopin (2002) argues that the civilization clash suggests that there is a close relationship between Islam and the West. Moreover, it is assumed that the religious groups play similar role with the ethnic groups in different regions. Conversely, the Muslim faith is more entitled to wars due to theirs strong believes and teaching in the (Jihad) Holy war. Hamad (2005) articulates that there has existed a conflict and friction between the two major Islam believes namely; Sunni (which forms the major percentage) and Shia (which form the minority). This conflict has existed since the emergence of the religion. In a general sense, the Middle East has been noted as a perfect example of how numerous countries have resisted democracy for the longest period of time. Similarly, the region has also been faced by poor development and social aspects such as the place of women in the society thus opening avenues for increased conflict. Solving the Conflict in the Middle East Having ascertained that the Middle East conflict is purely between the Israelis and Palestinians’, it is important that these two groups come up with a resulting solution on the prolonged conflict. According to Hauss (2010), the method of rules should be changed from authoritarian that had existed for the last half century to democratic rule that allows people to air their grievances without been harassed. It is worth noting that, when a region uses the right political style of rule, numerous issues that could be social and economic receive the right performance. For instance, the current government could take the initiative of settling the Palestinian refugees through allowing them return to their original place and further compensating them for the displacement and torture experienced (Haynes, 2009). KöChler (2006) points out that the oil issue as the main economic prospect should be equally share between the Israeli and Palestinian to stop further bloodshed since their economy is known to have crippled since the inception of the war. Alternatively, the Israelis and the Palestinian authority should form a committee that oversees the extractions of oil and the exportation of the same in order to revive their economy, which has been at its lowest during the civil war (Macqueen, 2009). In reference to the rift between the major and minor branches that exist in the Middle East on religion, it is important that these two groups agree to ignore the concept of branches and focus on the main religion as would be expected of them (Mansbach & Rhodes, 2009). Similarly, the concept of Jihad war should be utilized according to Quran and not through politicized ways. Conclusion The world can never dispute the fact that Middle East has been torn by armed civil conflict for the past half century. The region has experienced extreme challenges in political, social and economic aspects. Nevertheless, a few countries such as the U.S and the UK have played a huge role in trying to resolve the conflict through dialogues. Furthermore, the region has received foreign aid and military support. Although scholars have referred the region as one that experiences exceptionalism particularly in resistance to democracy, it is worth noting that human conflict must be driven towards amicable resolutions without necessarily having to shed blood. In the general sense, modernity will be practiced by where politics will no longer dominate the Middle East and other parts in the world and will be replaced by law, peace and security. Reference list Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form ALBERT, M. (2000). Civilizing world politics: society and community beyond the state. Lanham, Md. [u.a.], Rowman & Littlefield Publ. BERCOVITCH, J., & JACKSON, R. 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(2005). Political Crises, Social Conflict and Economic Development the Political Economy of the Andean Region. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar Pub. SORLI,M. GLEDITSCH,N & STRAND,H.(2008). “Why is the so much conflict in the Middle East”. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 49; 141-165 Read More