MIDDLE EAST REGION (COMPREHENSIVE OUTLOOK

OF HISTORY AND PRESENT SCENARIO)

Understanding the region through map.

List of Countries in the Middle East

Always included

1. Bahrain
2. Iran
3. Iraq
4. Israel
5. Jordan
6. Kuwait
7. Lebanon
8. Oman
9. Palestine
10. Qatar
11. Saudi Arabia
12. Syria
13. Turkey
14. United Arab Emirates
15. Yemen

Usually included

16. Egypt

Sometimes included

17. Afghanistan
18. Cyprus
19. Kyrgyzstan
20. Libya
21. Pakistan
22. Sudan
23. Tajikistan
24. Turkmenistan
25. Uzbekistan
The largest Middle Eastern country in terms of physical size is Saudi Arabia. In contrast, Bahrain is the Middle Eastern
country with the smallest total area.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MAJOR MIDDLE EASTERN

COUNTRIES.

A) TURKEY.

 Capital: Ankara
 Turkey is a country with a rich and complex history. It was once the heartland of the Ottoman Empire,
one of the most powerful empires in history. The Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I, and
Turkey was founded in 1923.
 Istanbul: Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and one of the most important cities in the world. It is
located on the Bosporus Strait, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea.
 Atatürk: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the founder of the Republic of Turkey. He was a military leader
and a political reformer.
  The Ottoman-Russian Wars: The Ottoman-Russian Wars were a series of wars fought
between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The
wars were fought over control of the Black Sea and the Balkans.
 The Turkish War of Independence: The Turkish War of Independence was fought from 1919
to 1923. The war was fought between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied Powers, and it
resulted in the founding of the Republic of Turkey.
 The Cyprus conflict: The Cyprus conflict is an ongoing conflict between the Greek Cypriots
and the Turkish Cypriots. The conflict began in 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus in
response to a coup d'état by the Greek Cypriot National Guard

B) SYRIA

 Capital: Damascus
 Bab al-Hawa: A border crossing between Syria and Turkey, Bab al-Hawa is a major transit point for
humanitarian aid.
 Golan Heights War: The Golan Heights War was a war between Israel and Syria that took
place in 1967. The war ended with Israel
 Syrian Civil War: The Syrian Civil War is an ongoing armed conflict that began in 2011. The war has
caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced from their homes

C) JORDAN

 Capital: Amman
 The Dead Sea: The lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea is a popular tourist destination for its
salty waters and mud baths.
 The Yarmouk River: The Yarmouk River is a tributary of the Jordan River. It flows through Jordan and
Syria
 The Six-Day War (1967): The Six-Day War was a war between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
Jordan was one of the Arab countries that fought against Israel in the war.
 The Yom Kippur War (1973): The Yom Kippur War was a war between Israel and its Arab
neighbors. Jordan was one of the Arab countries that fought against Israel in the war.
 The Gulf War (1990-1991): The Gulf War was a war between Iraq and a coalition of countries
led by the United States. Jordan did not participate in the war, but it allowed coalition forces to
use its airspace and military bases.

D)LEBANON
 Capital; Beirut ( Paris of ASIA)
 The Cedars of Lebanon: These ancient cedar trees are a national symbol of Lebanon
 Litani River: This river is the longest river in Lebanon. It flows from the mountains of Lebanon to the
Mediterranean Sea.
 Rafik Hariri: Hariri was a Lebanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to
1998 and again from 2000 to 2004. He was assassinated in 2005
 Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990): The Lebanese Civil War was a civil war that lasted for 15
years. It was a complex conflict with a number of different factors contributing to it.
  2006 Lebanon War: The 2006 Lebanon War was a war between Israel and Lebanon. It was
triggered by the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.
 Lebanon is known as land of milk and honey

E) IRAQ

 Capital: Baghdad

 In the early 20th century, Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, it
became a British mandate. In 1932, Iraq gained its independence.
 In 1958, a coup d'état overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. In 1979,
Saddam Hussein came to power. He ruled Iraq as a dictator for over two decades.
 In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime. The
country has been unstable since then.
 Babylon: The ancient city of Babylon was once one of the most important cities in the world. It
is located about 80 kilometers south of Baghdad.
 Tigris: The Tigris River is one of the two major rivers in Iraq. It flows through the country from
north to south
 Shatt al-Arab: The Shatt al-Arab is a river delta that forms where the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers meet
 Baghdad Gap: The Baghdad Gap is a narrow corridor of land that connects central Iraq with the
Kurdish region in the north. It is a strategic area that has been fought over many times
 Hammurabi: Hammurabi was a king who ruled the Babylonian Empire in the 18th
century BCE. He is best known for his Code of Hammurabi, which is one of the earliest
and most important legal codes in history.
 Saddam Hussein: Saddam Hussein was a dictator who ruled Iraq from 1979 to 2003.
He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
 Gulf War (1990-1991): The Gulf War was a war between Iraq and a coalition of forces
led by the United States. It was fought after Iraq invaded Kuwait.
 Iraq War (2003-2011): The Iraq War was a war between the United States and Iraq. It
was fought after the United States accused Iraq of developing weapons of mass

F) ISRAEL
 Capital: Jerusalem (although its sovereignty over East Jerusalem is not recognized
internationally)
 Currency: Israeli new shekel (ILS)
 History ;history of Israel is a long and complex one, dating back to the ancient Israelites. The
modern state of Israel was founded in 1948, following the end of the British Mandate of
Palestine. The establishment of Israel was met with widespread Arab opposition, and the
ensuing Arab-Israeli conflict has been ongoing ever since
 The Dead Sea: The lowest point on Earth, located on the border between Israel and Jordan
 Tel Aviv: The largest city in Israel and a major center of commerce and culture
 Yarmuk River: A river in the Golan Heights that flows through Israel, Jordan, and Syria
 David Ben-Gurion: The first prime minister of Israel
 Theoder herzel ; founder
  Arab-Israeli War of 1948: The first Arab-Israeli war, which was fought over the
establishment of the State of Israel.
 Six-Day War of 1967: A war in which Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan
Heights, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
 Yom Kippur War of 1973: A war in which Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on
Israe

G) KSA

 Capital: Riyadh
 history of Saudi Arabia can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula.
The modern state of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud.
 Nafud Desert: A large desert in the north-central part of Saudi Arabia
 Rub' al-Khali: The largest sand desert in the world, located in the south-central part of Saudi
Arabia
 Yemeni Civil War (2015-present): A civil war in Yemen that has been ongoing since 2015.
Saudi Arabia is one of the main participants in the war, supporting the government of
Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi against the Houthi rebels

H) YEMEN

 CAPITAL; sana
 . In 1918, Yemen became a British protectorate. In 1962, a civil war broke out between the
royalists and the republicans. The war ended in 1967, with the establishment of the Yemen
Arab Republic (YAR). In 1990, the YAR merged with the People's Democratic Republic of
Yemen (PDRY) to form the Republic of Yemen
 Gulf of Aden: A gulf that connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean
 Abu Muhammad al-Ansi: The leader of the Houthi movement
 Ali Abdullah Saleh: The former president of Yemen.
 Tawakkol Karman: A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist

Important wars or conflict:

 Yemeni Civil War (1962-1970): A civil war between the royalists and the republicans.
 Yemeni Civil War (1994): A civil war between the north and the south of Yemen.
 Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015-present): A military intervention by a Saudi-led coalition
in support of the government of Yemen against the Houthi rebels.

I) OMAN
 Capital: Muscat
 the country's power declined in the 19th century, and it was eventually colonized by the British.
Oman gained independence in 1971, and it has since become a stable and prosperous
country.
 Jebel Shams: The highest mountain in Oman and a popular hiking destination.
 Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said: The longest-serving ruler of Oman, who reigned from 1970
until his death in 2020
 Dhofar Rebellion: A rebellion that took place in Oman from 1962 to 1975.
 J) IRAN

 Name CHANGED from Persia to Iran in 1935

 Capital: Tehran
 1979, Iran underwent a revolution that overthrew the Shah and established the Islamic
Republic of Iran. The country has been under the rule of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, ever since.
 Naghsh-e Jahan Square: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Isfahan that is considered one of
the most beautiful squares in the world.
 Karun River: The longest river in Iran
 Arvand Rud: A river that forms the border between Iran and Iraq
 Persian Gulf: A body of water that is located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula
 Cyrus the Great: The founder of the Achaemenian Empire.. the first human rights charter ..
cyrus cylinder
 Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988): A war between Iran and Iraq that resulted in the deaths of
over 1 million people.
 Iran-Contra affair (1985-1986): A scandal in which the United States secretly sold
weapons to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages.

K) EGYPT

 Capital: Cairo
 Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP
 Egypt is a country located in North Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the
south, the Red Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Egypt is a Muslim
country, and the official language is Arabic
 Egypt gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1922. Since then, Egypt has been a
republic
 Pyramids: The Pyramids of Giza are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
 Aswan: Aswan is a city on the Nile River. It is home to the Aswan Dam, which is one of the
largest dams in the world.
 Famous people ; Nasser: Gamal Abdel Nasser was the second president of Egypt. He was a
pan-Arabist leader who played a key role in the 1956 Suez Crisis.
 Mubarak: Hosni Mubarak was the third president of Egypt. He was in power from 1981 to
2011. He was overthrown during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.
 Naguib Mahfouz: Naguib Mahfouz was a Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian novelist. He is best
known for his Cairo Trilogy, which is a series of three novels that chronicle the lives of three
generations of a Cairene family.

 WHY MIDDLE EAST IS CALLED MIDDLE EAST

The term ‘Middle East’ is actually a political construct, which was coined in the 1850s by staff in the British India
Office.
 During this period, the 'Orient' (a term used to describe the East) was split into three distinct areas:

 the Near East

 the Middle East and
 the Far East.

The Near East included the Ottoman Empire (much of today's Turkey) and the Balkans.

The Far East included Asian countries along the Pacific Ocean.

British colonisation of India made this region of critical importance to the British during this time.

The Middle East, therefore, came to mean the lands in between these areas – essentially areas to the East of the Near
East and to the West of the Far East.

 HISTORY OF CONFLICTS IN MIDDLE EAST ;

https://pakobserver.net/the-middle-east-calculus-1/ ( undertstanding the history of middle east region )

The Middle East has long been a region afflicted by external machinations which have had a long lasting impact on its
local population. From the Greek-Persian Wars to colonial times to the Cold war and now the new global power
competition, external powers have been involved in power struggles either in the form of outright military action to
espionage and hybrid war.
1-ARAB-ISRAEL WAR 1948 AND 1967( The Six-Day War or June War, also known as the 1967 Arab–Israeli War
or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab states from 5 to 10 June 1967)

2- AGAIN IN 1973 YOUM KIPPOR WAR(

Oct 6, 1973 – Oct 25, 1973)

3- ISSUE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE ( https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PUcf3gfPR-

Ul0w96GS55gQT0UeZ_kHpA/view?usp=drive_link ) page 32-33 to understand PALESTINE AND ISRAEL
CONFLICT IN DETAILS. https://issi.org.pk/issue-brief-on-unpacking-the-ongoing-conflict-in-palestine/ (
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441756/the-inevitability-of-palestinian-state ) ( https://dailytimes.com.pk/1141887/israel-
palestine-conflict/ ) ( https://tribune.com.pk/story/2442455/the-wider-impact-of-the-hamas-israeli-conflict )

 1517-1917 , Jerusalem as part of ottoman empire ( khilafat e usmania )
 1897 first Zionist conference in Switzerland: three regions were proposed to settle jews :
Uganda , Alaska and Palestinian territory for Jews homeland

 After the disintegration of the ottoman empire , as British won , they took control of most of the areas
in which Palestine area was also included
 1922-35 British ensured the migration of jews from all powers to Palestine
 1917 Balfore declaration ( British wanted support) a letter written to Walter Rothschild
 Initially went as a refuges and got increased during ww2 , and finally Israel announced itself as a jewish
state on Palestinian land

 In 9 nov 1947, the United Nations adopted Resolution 181, also known as the partition plan, meant to
divide the British Mandates of Palatines into Arab and Jewish States, after this resolution. Jerusalem
will be controlled by UN itself
 The state of Israel was created on May 14, 1948.( all arabs countries opposed it ) After the creation of
this state, the first Arab-Israel war was fought ( Jordan led the war ) which ended in July 1949. At this
war, around one million Palestinians were displaced, and Israel was declared the winner.
 At the end of war Isreal became hegemon

 The territory was divided into three parts: the West Bank (of the Jordan River, the state of Israel, and
the Gaza Strips. 750,000 Palestinians were displaced, and the territory was divided into three parts:
The State of Israel, the West Bank (of the Jordan River), and the Gaza Strip. Since its beginning in 1948,
this territory became a region of tension between Israel, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
 after 1948 1.7m immigrants from diff parts of Palestine , Now Gaza was controlled by Egypt but in
1956 suez canal crisis happened on nationalization bid by jamal nazir ( it was before controlled by a
company of England and France ) , USA interwined to avert the war when it was threatened by soviet
union . 1967 war started when Egypt blocked Suez canal for Israel ships , the Israel attacked on
Jordan , Syria and Egypt to start a war , on 10 June 1967 , ISrael got back west bank , gaza and golan
heights , In 1964, Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed under the
leadership of Yasser Arafat and its strategic defiance called for the destruction of
Israel
 6 oct 1973 , Egypt and Syria launched attack on israel from sinai and golan heights area , war
continued , the Oil embargo , march 1974 , USA said Israel will give back the areas to Egypt and Syria ,
but Egypt will then accept israel , 1974 egypt was removed from arab league , then reentered in 1979
( The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat
and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978, following twelve days of secret
negotiations at Camp David, the country retreat of the President of the United States in Maryland. )
 1987 first resisdence by hamas , before PLO ky pas , 1993 oslo accords , 2005 israel went back , 2006
Hamas got control , 50 pc unemployment , highest fertitlity , 40 pc less than 15 YEARS OF AGE ,2008 ,
2012 , 2014 wars( Israel attacks on Gaza)
 Gaza (Arabic Qiṭāʿ Ghazzah) is a 363 square km strip, 41 km long and 6 to 12 km wide, situated east of
the Mediterranean Sea just northeast of the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt). It has a 51 km border with Israel
(north and east) and 11 km border with Egypt (south) near Rafah City.


 This densely populated area of over 2.3 million people packed in 24 large and small cites/towns
(including Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Yunis) is ‘not recognized as a de jure part of any country
 Attack on 7 oct ,2023 one thousand plus rockets attack on Israel
  Except for the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, Israel virtually controls all aspects of life in Gaza,
dominating its economy, trade and politics.
 long-term peace is possible only through a ‘two-state solution’. Only when Palestinians control their
own fate and affairs in their own state, would this vicious cycle of violence ‘end slowly’
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu-5dSIc-lo ( u can see this video for more elaboration )
 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445118/myth-and-reality-of-strategic-defiance ( critism on arab states
in dealing with the issue of Palestine )

4-SYRIAN CONFLICT. ( https://margallapapers.ndu.edu.pk/site/article/view/111/87 ) research paper on syria . (

https://thefrontierpost.com/how-lebanon-syria-and-jordan-can-overcome-their-troubles/ ) problems in Syria explained,
especially the civil war.

5-ARAB SPRING ( https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/17/what-is-the-arab-spring-and-how-did-it-start

https://pakobserver.net/israel-gaza-conflict-geopolitical-realities/

 WHY MIDDLE EAST REGION HAS BEEN FACING SO

MANY CONFLICTS;
1-Foreign power interventions.( Russia in Syria , USA in IRAN, IRAQ AND ISRAEL )
2- Complex conflicts; multiple actors involved .
3- Irreparable divide in the country.
4- Islamic state and Al Qaeda penetration.

 Importance of Iran for Middle East / Why Middle eastern

Arab countries are worried about Iran ?
Let us analyze the threat to Arab states and Israel from Iran. Israel believes Iran is attempting to encircle it from Syria
and Lebanon. Russia is controlling Syria and supporting the civil war along with Iran and Hezbollah( a Lebanese
Shia Islamist political party and militant group, led since 1992 by its Secretary-General Hassan

Nasrallah.). Then there is alliance of Iran with Iraq and Syria to control Lebanon. The Arabs too consider Iran a threat
to their sovereignty.
In Yemen, Houthis are loyal to Iran and battling Saudi led coalition, and Iran is also supporting pro-Iranian
militias Hamas(Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, militant, and nationalist organization, founded
in 1987), Islamic Jehad and Hezbollah. The Arabs are also afraid of Iran becoming a nuclear power and have urged
the US not to revive 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The Arabs are also concerned about the growing influence of Iran in
Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
https://thefridaytimes.com/27-Sep-2023/the-nuclear-arms-race-in-the-middle-east
Iran’s nuclear capability as a threat to ME region
Currently, China is Iran’s largest trading partner; Tehran exports $12.6 billion of goods to Beijing and imports $12.7
billion.
The growing alliance between China and Iran has grown further after Iran’s outreach to Shanghai Cooperation
Organization from observer status to its full membership. Iran’s relationship with China, Russia, and Central Asia is
testimony to the realignment in Iranian foreign policy. This further helps Iran to use its diplomatic relations with SCO as
leverage against the US-led sanction regimes and negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

supporting the fact of presence of IRAN in LEBANON , here I am attaching 2 pictures

 USA AND ISREAL CONSIDER IRAN AS THEIR BIGGEST
THREAT
2- US and Israel conducted a significant and the largest-ever joint military
exercise. The ‘Juniper Oak 23.2’ drills involve thousands of armed soldiers, a
dozen warships and 142 aircrafts, including nuclear-capable bombers.
 3- Here are also reports circulating in the media that tensions over Iran’s nuclear

program have increased, and Israel has decided to open a military front
against Tehran. The outgoing chief of staff of the Israeli defence forces, Aviv
Kochavi, has confirmed in a media interview that the Israeli army considers
Iran as the biggest threat to national security.
4- Western powers are deeply concerned about the growing defence ties

between Iran and Russia, especially Moscow’s supply of the advanced S-400
anti-aircraft defence system to Iran, and Tehran’s supply of military drones
to Russia

https://pakobserver.net/three-years-of-the-abraham-accords/

 Pakistan relations with IRAN – an overview

Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan in 1947, forming the baseline for future
relations. Interests between the two countries converge broadly on a number of issues,
including, but not limited to, the situation in Afghanistan, fight against terrorism and
bilateral relations with China.
Pakistan and Iran share a number of regional and international platforms including
Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) and the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC); and Iran’s full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) will enable the two countries to expand their interaction.

The current bilateral trade stands $1.5 billion annually, which is below the
potential of $5 billion per year.
Earlier in 2023, 39 MoUs were signed which, if implemented, could make this target
achievable. In April 2021, 12 border markets were proposed, of which only two, at
Pishin-Mand and Rimdan-Gabed, are operational. Currently, Iran exports 34.8MW
of electricity to Pakistan and in June 2022, both agreed that Iran would supply an
additional 100MW. Both sides are also working together to improve road and rail
connectivity. An emblem of success here has been the Islamabad-Tehran-
Istanbul (ITI) cargo train service, revived after a 10-year gap in 2022. With
regard to the border, Pakistan and Iran have three border crossing points (Taftan-
Mirjaveh, Mand-Pishin and Gabd-Rimdan) to ease movement of the approximately
800,000 Pakistani Zaireen who visit Iran every year.

https://pakobserver.net/pak-and-iran-needs-cooperation-in-energy-sector/?
utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pak-and-iran-needs-cooperation-
in-energy-sector

When it comes to challenges:

First and foremost, the trust deficit between both countries needs to be
addressed.
Sanctions are a reality, hence alternatives to circumvent them have to be located.
Infrastructure needs to be improved, to help increase barter trade.
The issues of high tariffs (from the Iranian side) and the absence of credible payment
mechanisms also need to be resolved.

. Furthermore, Gwadar and Chabahar should work together and build on existing
complementarities.

Regarding the border, the Rapid Action Task Force, proposed in 2019, needs to be set up.
This will help curb smuggling and human trafficking as well as incidents of border
unrest.
Additionally, work should be done towards the completion of the Iran-Pakistan
(IP) Pipeline — which Iran has finalised on its side since 2011.
The penalty for non-completion will come into effect in 2024. Iran has already extended
this twice and Pakistan stands to lose $18 billion if it terminates the agreement.
People-to-people exchanges need to be increased, as well as cooperation in science and
technology. For instance, Shiraz is home to Abu-Ali Sina Hospital , which is the
world’s first liver transplant centre. Hence, in this respect, interpersonal contacts,
particularly in the fields of medicine and technology, should be encouraged.

https://pakobserver.net/improved-relationship-with-iran/?
utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=improved-relationship-with-iran
overview of Pak-IRAN relations, with a brief discussion of historical events and
contemporary situation.

https://issi.org.pk/issue-brief-on-enhancing-pakistan-iran-economic-relations-
exploring-prospects-in-trade-and-connectivity/
read this detailed journal/research paper on PAK-IRAN relation

https://margallapapers.ndu.edu.pk/site/article/view/100/76
Saudia IRan reproachment and challenges for Pakistan – a detailed research paper s
https://pakobserver.net/pak-and-iran-needs-cooperation-in-energy-sector/?
utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pak-and-iran-needs-
cooperation-in-energy-sector

 SAUDI-IRAN RAPPROCHMENT , OPPORTUNITIES FOR

PAKISTAN ?
1- Trade and economic opportunities
2- Expansion of CPEC
3- Religious harmony
4- Regional peace and stability
5- Breaking Indian hegemony
6- Strategic independence
7- Saudi-Iranian rapprochement will have a calming effect across the Muslim

world, especially where sectarian tensions have been high, such as in Iraq,
Lebanon, Bahrain and Pakistan
https://www.nation.com.pk/26-Aug-2023/pakistan-in-changing-regional-pattern
must read

 Middle East Security/ Arab NATO (latest developments).

The countries that would make up Arab NATO are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Oman,
Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.
The inclusion of Israel is a message to Iran to improve its relations with Arab neighbors and also not to interfere in Arab
issues. In the past the US has been the main security guarantor. ( The history & significance of the Peace Treaty
between Israel UAE, Bahrain Sudan & Morroco. , ABRAHAM ACCORD) However, it appears that now responsibility
has been given to Israel to take the lead. If one carries out a comparison of military power of Iran and the proposed
alliance, Iran still enjoys numerical superiority. However, with the inclusion of Israel, the proposed ‘Arab NATO’
enjoys strategic superiority in weapons, fire power and technology.

There are fears and concerns too among the would-be member states in ‘Arab NATO’ about big countries like Egypt and
Saudi Arab dominating the remaining tiny Arab counties.
Then there is rivalry among Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar and Egypt and Qatar. We have recently seen
the forced blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia.

Then the issue of Palestine for majority Arabs is of a serious concern as they may not compromise on it. This is evident
from the fact that Saudi Arab has improved its ties with Israel but is reluctant to recognize Israel because of the
Palestinian issue.
During the recent visit of President Biden to Saudi Arabia, the issue of an ‘Arab NATO’ was not discussed. Pakistan can
play the role of a mediator between Arabs and Iran as it has offered several times in the past . Peace in the region is
in the interest of Pakistan and it has remained a neutral based on its economic, sectarian and geopolitical realities.
Pakistan should continue to play the role of a bridge and peace maker in the region.

How USA and the western countries destabilised Islam and

Middle east especially?

In Iran, it was the secular nationalist liberal government of Mossadegh that the CIA coup helped to overthrow to
reinstall the monarchy in 1953.

Mossadegh wanted to nationalize Iran’s oil and got into conflict with the monarchy over it . The CIA coup helped to
create the savage internal security force SAVAK in Iran after the overthrow of Mossadegh through which liberals and
communists were eliminated and the clergy was left untouched.

It is the clergy that made a resounding comeback after its leader Khomeini returned from France to Iran to a
ground situation where the remaining leftists/secularists had effectively campaigned along with the clergy against
the Shah. The Islamic regime utilized it to usher in an Islamic revolution and then, later on, went around eliminating the
remaining leftwing/liberal contingent in Iran as part of the consolidation of its regime.
In Iraq, Saddam’s Baathist party, mostly Sunni, ruled on the principle of personal loyalty to Saddam. Both Shias
and Sunnis were in the army led by Sunni Baathists and fought together in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s mostly
in Shia areas. There were scores of Sunni-Shia intermarriages under Saddam’s watch. Yet, post the US invasion of Iraq,
the US “swiftly moved to communalize it, re-making it along sectarian lines”.

Almost one-tenth of the Iraqi population died and many more lost their homes and became homeless. Unemployment
rose to almost 70% and health and education facilities were seriously undermined by the matching proliferation of arms.
Couples of Sunni-Shia intermarriages were asked to divorce each other. Iraq may have the pretence of liberal democracy
post the US invasion but it is seriously undergirded by sectarian and ethnic divides and is unstable. This is another
example of how the US and the West lied through their teeth about the imagined weapons of mass destruction to
invade Iraq and then destroyed a Muslim nation and tore apart its social and political fabric.

Afghanistan is another country that has been ravaged by US imperialism. Afghanistan was functioning pretty well
under a “mildly Muslim” monarchy till the first leftwing Communist government was imposed there in the late 1970s and
the US/West rallied troops from around the Muslim world to fight them. The religious parties in Pakistan that had a
“marginal position” till then were given huge financial and military resources to foster Afghan Mujahideen and
teach the former Soviet Union a message. Afghanistan was a tribal society with modern urban pockets in the cities and it
has been destroyed beyond recognition in various wars. Professor Ahmad draws a similarity between the Taliban’s
“horrendously punitive and arcane regime” of Taliban with the war-ravaged Communist Pol Pot regime in Cambodia;
both were destroyed by US imperialism.

The overall conclusion that is that the US and West want to de-state-ize Muslim countries; breakdown their state,
political, and social institutions as they did in Iraq and Afghanistan resulting in a huge amount of loss of lives,
livelihoods, and serious undermining of the quality of life. In our regions, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and over 200 million
Muslim population in India better watch out!

https://pakobserver.net/blinkens-middle-east-yatra-to-restore-american-influence-by-imran-khalid/

Must read this article.

 MIDDLE-EAST-REGION(KSA-CHINA
PARTNERSHIP) AND ROLE OF CHINA IN GMER
  Xi jinping landed in KSA on 7 Dec, 2022. 182 cooperative measures in 18 fields.
 https://issi.org.pk/issue-brief-on-chinas-overtures-in-the-middle-east/

The China-KSA Comprehensive Strategic Partnership brings multidimensional implications not only for
the GMER( greater middle east region )but also creates opportunities for the region at large. China’s
ingress into the region gives the Arabs another option, a possible alternative to the hegemonic US-
Israel Combine.

For decades, the US has managed the GMER through a policy of divide and rule. Israel is its nuclear-
armed and militarily dominant ally while the Arabs have traditionally looked up to it for their security and
defence needs. Iran, the “designated adversary” in the GMER and its potential to become a nuclear
weapons state, have been portrayed as existential threats to Israel and the Gulf Arabs.

This has helped array them together against it. The Abraham Accord and I2U2 have not been able to
deliver at the level they were expected to.

However, all this carefully contrived strategic (im)balance in the GMER seems about to unravel as
China’s ingress and its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with KSA threaten to upset the status quo
and challenge US’ unquestioned hegemony! China’s move into the GMER redefines the contours of the
strategic environment emphatically.

1- One, it starts challenging the US for influence in the GMER and emerges as a
competing centre of power, though presently largely restricted to the economic and
geopolitical domains. The US (and Israel) is likely to retain its military superiority for the
time being.
2- Two, it creates the possibility of converting the KSA/Gulf Arabs’ economic clout into
geopolitical and geostrategic advantage with China’s help. This will help restore
strategic balance in the GMER.
3- Three, China could help the KSA/Gulf Arabs diversify their economies through the
infusion of technology, joint economic ventures, etc and become a viable alternative to
western influence, domination and control.
 4- Four, an eventual alignment of economic and foreign policies could allow them to forge
meaningful regional and extra-regional groupings.
5- Five, China stands to assert its presence on both sides of the Persian Gulf; with the
Gulf Arabs as well as Iran. It has already signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
with Iran and will be investing around US $ 400 billion in its oil, gas and other
infrastructure in the next 25 years.
6- Six, this places it in a very good position to intercede as an honest broker between the
Arabs and Iran to help overcome their grievances against one another.
7- Seven, it could help mellow their mutual, toxic rhetoric, reduce their animosities, initiate
direct talks and enable a possible No-War Pact between them, at some later stage. This
would be anathema to the US as it would nullify its raison d’eter to stay in the GMER.
8- Eight, the harmonisation of the Vision 2030 and the BRI will kickstart the
connectivity and economic interdependence between the SCAR and the GMER.
9- Nine, this will allow the BRI to expand further West into Africa, the Mediterranean and
Europe.
10- Ten, thus an ever-expanding, mutually beneficial economic stake will be evolved between
KSA/Gulf Arabs, the region at large including Iran and China which will bind them together
in the future. Two of the world’s largest economies could thus come together to make an
enormous investment into their combined future. Its overall benefits for the region will be
colossal.
11- Eleven, the interconnectivity between KSA/Gulf Arabs and China is bound to bring Iran
and Pakistan (CPEC) into the equation and create immense economic and geopolitical
possibilities within the region.
12- Twelve, at a later stage, this economic interdependence could be expanded to gradually
induct Turkey, Afghanistan and the CARs to make a massive economic union or
bloc. Russia too would be interested. The geopolitical possibilities thereafter are limitless!

 Go to this link of google drive , I have uploaded APRIL JWT magazine , read page no 16,17,18 on the topic of
US-CHINA interests in Middle East. Read page 20-23 for understanding SAUDIA-IRAN rapprochement ,
the history of relations between Iran and KSA.
 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ohSZjczXNBZcleDxQBlsC__6ytu3-5Pp/view?usp=drive_link
 BENEFITS OF CHINESE INVESTMENTS FOR
PAKISTAN

For Pakistan, this will turn out to be a very opportune development.

It has excellent strategic relations with both the KSA and China. Pakistan will be particularly
interested in seeing how the harmonisation of Vison 2030 and the BRI evolves, how it impacts
the GMER Complex and what opportunities it offers to it.

The BRI can move to the Arab Peninsula in two prongs;

 it can jump across the Arabian Sea from the Makran Coast/Gwadar, from the
Iranian coastline along the Persian Gulf, or both.
 Currently, China buys the bulk of its oil/energy requirements from the Gulf Arab
states, especially KSA. A portion of it could eventually go through oil and gas
pipelines that may emanate from the Arab Peninsula and/or Iran and move
through Pakistan on to Xinjiang in western China. This would be necessitated
by the need to avoid interdiction by hostile forces and the formidable Malacca
Straits chokepoint, in times of conflict.
 The Makran Coast, especially the Gwadar Port region could emerge as an oil and
gas hub for the transportation of these and other commodities.
 Petrochemical complexes, refineries could be made on the Makran hinterland to
meet Pakistan’s and other regional countries’ needs.
 Both the KSA and China could jointly and independently invest in the Special
Economic and Industrial Zones in and around Gwadar.
 Balochistan’s vast mineral reserves, rare earth metals could be mined, refined and
converted into marketable goods in these Special Economic and Industrial Zones.
 The BRI’s expansion into Iran and the Arab Peninsula is being threatened by
Terrorism Central (myriad terrorist groups) milling around in the badlands of
Afghanistan. Supported by hostile Governments and their intelligence
agencies like RAW, MOSSAD and others, the TTP and ISK are already
attacking CPEC/Pakistan. From a security point of view, the CPEC appears to be
the weakest link in the BRI chain that will connect the Arab peninsula to China. It is
bound to be continuously attacked to delay, disrupt and destroy it. Is the timing of
 this resurgence of terrorist attacks on the CPEC/Pakistan a mere coincidence?
Eliminating this terrorist threat will be a sine qua non( essential , necessary ) for
the BRI-CPEC’s further progress. Decisive, proactive and meaningful kinetic
operations are thus the need of the hour and the only plausible way forward. The
sudden uptick in US support for counter-terrorism operations is meaningful and
must be interpreted in its true and correct perspective! Regardless, Pakistan must
secure its western flank and position itself well to eventually become a part of this
emerging colossus, the China-KSA Strategic Partnership!

China’s outreach to the Middle East is non-partisan and seeks to engage both Iran and Saudi Arabia.

https://issi.org.pk/issue-brief-on-saudi-iran-rapprochement-opportunities-for-pakistan/

read this research paper to know the impacts of KSA-IRAN relations on Pakistan

This independent foreign policy of China is a source of concern for the US because it not only
reduces the US’s potential to punish Iran but also drifts Saudi Arabia away from the US.

China has the inherent policy of no confrontation rather with sheer wisdom, the leadership and policy
leaders of the Community Party are trying their best to promote the values of inclusive growth and
helping countries through economic means. Iran is an example, and so do other countries like Pakistan.
The growth of Iran and Pakistan means that although the political pandits might comment on
strategic matters simultaneously if we review it through the lens of economic development,
China’s support and investment is ever growing in both countries.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/1116063/triangular-diplomacy/

this article explains the relation of Pakistan with KSA and IRAN , challenges and opportunities

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2405766/chinas-diplomatic-coup

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2406074/is-middle-east-moving-towards-stability

https://pakobserver.net/iran-saudi-deal-chinese-hand-in-changing-regional-order-by-dr-m-akram-zaheer/
 this article enlightens about latest updates .

read this article .

Click on this link to study why Middle East is important for

the world politics

https://www.e-ir.info/2019/05/24/geography-resources-and-the-geopolitics-of-middle-east-conflicts/

or read this book/ summary

The Middle East in World Politics (Routledge Revivals )

Edited By
Mohammed Ayoob

book The Middle East in World Politics is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand
the complex and ever-changing world of the Middle East.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:

 The Middle East is a region of great diversity, both in terms of its people and its cultures.
 The Middle East has a long and rich history, dating back to the ancient civilizations of
Mesopotamia and Egypt.
 The Middle East is a region of great economic and strategic importance, due to its oil reserves
and its location between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
 The Middle East is a region that has been plagued by conflict for centuries.
 The United States has played a major role in the Middle East, both in terms of its military
presence and its political influence.
 One of the central themes explored in the book is the interplay between internal and
external factors in shaping Middle Eastern politics. The authors examine the influence of
colonial legacies, Cold War rivalries, and the dynamics of regional rivalries and alliances. They
also discuss the impact of socioeconomic factors, such as oil wealth and demographic
changes, on the region's political landscape.
 Furthermore, the book sheds light on the rise of political Islam and its implications for
regional and global security. The authors analyze the various Islamist movements and
organizations, their ideologies, and their relationships with state actors. They also explore the
factors that contribute to the appeal of political Islam among different segments of Middle
Eastern societies.
The book The Middle East in World Politics is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to
understand the complex and ever-changing world of the Middle East. The book's comprehensive
overview of the region's history, politics, and culture provides a foundation for understanding the
challenges and opportunities that the Middle East faces in the 21st century.

For latest developments keep reading newspaper and International magazines because the question in current affairs
exam will only come from a contemporary issue.

 THESE ARE SOME IMPORTANT QUOTES THAT YOU GUYS CAN

USE IN YOUR ANSWERS

 Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State: "The Middle East is the most important
region in the world because it is the crossroads of three continents, it is the source of three of
the world's great religions, and it contains the world's largest reserves of oil."
 Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State: "The Middle East is a region of great strategic
importance to the United States. It is home to two of our strongest allies, Israel and Egypt. It is
also a major source of oil for the world economy. The stability of the Middle East is vital to our
national security."
 George W. Bush, former U.S. President: "The Middle East is a region of great turmoil and
conflict. It is a region where extremism and terrorism are on the rise. The United States has a
vital interest in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East."
 Barack Obama, former U.S. President: "The Middle East is a region of great change and
potential. It is a region where the forces of democracy and modernization are on the rise. The
United States has a vital interest in supporting these forces and helping the Middle East
achieve its full potential."
 Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany: "The Middle East is a region of great importance to
Germany. We have a long history of engagement in the region, and we have a strong interest
in promoting peace and stability there. We also have a deep interest in the region's economic
development.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2439805/who-will-be-the-next-hegemon-

in-middle-east

https://www.dawn.com/news/1782994/will-the-middle-east-conflict-

impact-pakistan
  PAST PAPER QUESTIONS In CSS Current affairs.

1. What are the causes of ‘Arab Spring’? Identify their impacts on the future
politics of the region? (2015)
2. Describe the 2017 Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and its impact on the Middle East? (2018)
3. Critically analyze the newly established Islamic Military Alliance and its future
implications for the Muslim World? (2018)

4. Critically analyze the US-Russia relations in context of ISIS and its impact on the
security situation of Middle East? (2017)

5. How do you see recent developments in the Middle East .particularly with reference to
deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran? What role, if any, Pakistan could
play in reducing the tensions between the two Muslim countries? (2016)

6. China’s proactive diplomacy has successfully achieved rapprochement between the two
traditional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Analyze the impact of this significant
development on the geo-politics of the region.( css 23 special exam current affairs )
7.
Practice questions
1. With the growing Chinese investment in Saudi Arabia, how do you think this economic cooperation will
impact the regional dynamics in the Middle East, particularly in relation to traditional alliances and geopolitical
rivalries?

2. The recent peace talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia have shown promising signs of reconciliation. Assess
the potential implications of a peace deal between these two regional powers on the stability and security of the
Middle East, considering their historical tensions and involvement in proxy conflicts.

3. The idea of establishing an Arab NATO has gained traction in recent years as a response to regional security
challenges. Analyze the feasibility and potential benefits of forming such a military alliance in the Middle East,
taking into account the complex geopolitical landscape and diverse interests of the Arab countries involve

CONTACT ; 03350172274 FARHAN AHMAD MIRZA