All about War, Security & Peace in the Middle East The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, a region that geographically includes West Asia and parts of North Africa, has for centuries been characterized by a remarkable cultural, religious and civilizational diversity. This diversity has not only produced a rich cultural heritage, but also a series of geopolitical tensions, conflicts and wars that characterize the region. The causes of these disputes are deeply rooted and range from colonial after-effects and the struggle for natural resources to territorial, religious and ethnic-national disputes. Within this complex conflict landscape, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most prominent and protracted, and has been ongoing since the founding of Israel in 1948. In addition, the region is characterized by other significant conflict hotspots, such as the Syrian civil war, which has claimed countless lives since 2011 and caused one of the most serious refugee crises of our time, the unstable situation in Iraq following the fall of Saddam Hussein, the conflict in Yemen, which has triggered a humanitarian crisis, and the geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which influences numerous smaller conflicts in the region through proxy wars. Complex network of security actors in the Middle East The security problem in the Middle East is inextricably linked to these conflicts and has far-reaching global implications, particularly due to the region's strategic importance for global energy supplies and the threat of international terrorism. The security dynamics are determined by a complex network of state and non-state actors, including regular armed forces, militias, terrorist groups and international coalitions, which complicates peace and stability efforts. Diplomacy vs. human rights Human rights issues are at the heart of the challenges in many parts of the Middle East. Conflicts and authoritarian governments often lead to serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, restrictions on freedom of expression and the press, and discrimination against minorities and women. The international community's response to these violations is regularly at odds with diplomatic and peacebuilding efforts in the region, and despite the many challenges, the Middle East is also characterized by resilience, hope and the pursuit of peace. Initiatives for civil movements, peace talks and dialogues between adversaries underline the universal desire for a life in security and dignity. The future development of the Middle East will largely depend on the extent to which these aspirations can be translated into sustainable solutions for peace, security and human rights.
Focus on Iran: How the snapback mechanism is driving divisions in the regime
The UN sanctions against Iran will come back into force at the end of the month unless the members of the Security Council agree on a further extension of the easing measures. This is leading to power struggles between hardliners and reformers in Tehran. Our Focus on Iran is published in cooperation with the Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG).
By Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG)