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Gulf crisis and the future of Middle East
Global Village Space |
An energy-rich part of the world engulfed in perpetual turbulence, political instability, violent extremism, economic debilitation, sectarian divide characterized by ruthless proxy wars, berserk revolutions, ethnic hostilities, and a fertile ground for realpolitik; the Middle East, in the aftermath of ‘Arab Spring’, has become a quagmire and the solution to its perplexed problems, an elusive dream. The region has always attracted great powers to enhance their influence and fill their coffers by exploitation of the innumerable fault lines.
Lying at the juncture of Eurasia and Africa and of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, Middle East is the birthplace of three prominent religions – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Just as it problems are complex, so is its geopolitics.
The Sykes-picot agreement during the World War One followed by the surge of Arab nationalism led to the formation of a cluster of nation-states and subsequently to strong monarchies that are ruling till date. These nation-states have had immense friction among them deriving mostly from the avarice of energy resources, historical claims, ideological animosity, and the quest for hegemony in the region. Lying at the juncture of Eurasia and Africa and of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, Middle East is the birthplace of three prominent religions – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Just as it problems are complex, so is its geopolitics.
Read more: British and Middle Eastern Monarchy: Acceptable vs the unacceptable
String pullers in the neo-Middle East
The Middle East has been a cradle of great power rivalries coupled with the pursuit of regional powers for gaining hegemony. Middle Eastern Order, hitherto, was led by Saudi Arabia which funds, supports, maneuver all the players on the political chessboard of this region. But the rise of Iran coupled with the global oil crisis has hugely disturbed the balance of power in the region and Saudi Arabia no more reins the political discourse of this region singlehandedly.
Paradigm shift in the geopolitics of the region
Russia has not openly sided with any block but its alliance with Iran and ambition to influence the Middle East may compel it to side with Iranian block, thus setting the rostrum for a new great game in the region.
The recent diplomatic spat involving the isolation of Qatar by its brethren Arab countries for allegedly funding terrorist organizations, and the open arm diplomacy of Iran involving support for the state of Qatar amidst crisis combined with Ankara’s decision to deploy troops in Qatar, is but a paradigm shift in the geopolitics of the region.
Now, it may be too early to say that, but the pace of developments compels one to infer that the region is divided into two blocks: Saudi, USA, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Egypt, Yemen VS Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Turkey, Syria, and up to some extent, Russia. Turkey and Iran can naturally align with each other on the question of Kurds national movement. The USA has been sending mixed signals but Trump remains adamant on siding with the House of Saud in worst case scenario.
Meanwhile, Russia has not openly sided with any block but its alliance with Iran and ambition to influence the Middle East may compel it to side with Iranian block, thus setting the rostrum for a new great game in the region. Countries like Pakistan, Indonesia and India may remain neutral but if pushed to its limits, Pakistan can join the Saudi-led block owing to its economic and Sunni-dominated spiritual dependence on the kingdom.
Read full article:
Gulf crisis and the future of Middle East
Global Village Space |
An energy-rich part of the world engulfed in perpetual turbulence, political instability, violent extremism, economic debilitation, sectarian divide characterized by ruthless proxy wars, berserk revolutions, ethnic hostilities, and a fertile ground for realpolitik; the Middle East, in the aftermath of ‘Arab Spring’, has become a quagmire and the solution to its perplexed problems, an elusive dream. The region has always attracted great powers to enhance their influence and fill their coffers by exploitation of the innumerable fault lines.
Lying at the juncture of Eurasia and Africa and of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, Middle East is the birthplace of three prominent religions – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Just as it problems are complex, so is its geopolitics.
The Sykes-picot agreement during the World War One followed by the surge of Arab nationalism led to the formation of a cluster of nation-states and subsequently to strong monarchies that are ruling till date. These nation-states have had immense friction among them deriving mostly from the avarice of energy resources, historical claims, ideological animosity, and the quest for hegemony in the region. Lying at the juncture of Eurasia and Africa and of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, Middle East is the birthplace of three prominent religions – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Just as it problems are complex, so is its geopolitics.
Read more: British and Middle Eastern Monarchy: Acceptable vs the unacceptable
String pullers in the neo-Middle East
The Middle East has been a cradle of great power rivalries coupled with the pursuit of regional powers for gaining hegemony. Middle Eastern Order, hitherto, was led by Saudi Arabia which funds, supports, maneuver all the players on the political chessboard of this region. But the rise of Iran coupled with the global oil crisis has hugely disturbed the balance of power in the region and Saudi Arabia no more reins the political discourse of this region singlehandedly.
Paradigm shift in the geopolitics of the region
Russia has not openly sided with any block but its alliance with Iran and ambition to influence the Middle East may compel it to side with Iranian block, thus setting the rostrum for a new great game in the region.
The recent diplomatic spat involving the isolation of Qatar by its brethren Arab countries for allegedly funding terrorist organizations, and the open arm diplomacy of Iran involving support for the state of Qatar amidst crisis combined with Ankara’s decision to deploy troops in Qatar, is but a paradigm shift in the geopolitics of the region.
Now, it may be too early to say that, but the pace of developments compels one to infer that the region is divided into two blocks: Saudi, USA, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Egypt, Yemen VS Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Turkey, Syria, and up to some extent, Russia. Turkey and Iran can naturally align with each other on the question of Kurds national movement. The USA has been sending mixed signals but Trump remains adamant on siding with the House of Saud in worst case scenario.
Meanwhile, Russia has not openly sided with any block but its alliance with Iran and ambition to influence the Middle East may compel it to side with Iranian block, thus setting the rostrum for a new great game in the region. Countries like Pakistan, Indonesia and India may remain neutral but if pushed to its limits, Pakistan can join the Saudi-led block owing to its economic and Sunni-dominated spiritual dependence on the kingdom.
Read full article:
Gulf crisis and the future of Middle East
