Issues and challenges of peace and security in the Middle East

Professor Laeed Zaghlami

University of Algiers

$C:\Users\pc\Desktop\Laeed Zaghlami Photo Algeria.jpg$

Introduction

The Middle East region is one of the most troubled regions in the world. There remain spaces and scenes of wars and more seriously an arena of perpetual conflicts and tensions between the great powers, the “regional powers” and non-state actors. So many foreign actors in a limited space are fueling conflicts and wars in the region.

Region puzzle

Yet drawing a map of the area is itself a problem; complexity of human identities, religion, politics, geography and history. Thus, from a Western point of view, it includes Cyprus, the Asian part of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, the countries of the Arabian Peninsula ( Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait), and Egypt and Libya. Considering that from the Arab point of view, the region is divided into three blocks; Gulf States, Middle East and Maghreb region or North Africa; Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Mauritania $C:\Users\pc\Desktop\Middle.jpg$

What are the stakes in the Middle East?

The main challenges are: (a) geopolitical, military and strategic positions; Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, Bab El Mindab etc.; (b) economic reasons; the region is home to potential oil and gas resources ; (c ) water problem ; but above all, (d) religious considerations are very sensitive between Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Arab conflict of Israel

Israel's warmongering and the continued annexation policy in the region make it even more troubled and uncertain. For the Arab populations and in their collective imagination, Palestine is at the heart of the Arab Israeli conflict and El Quds remains the capital. However, Israel's denial of the legitimate rights of Palestinians, its contempt for international law are also sources of tension, conflict and war.

No more issues ...

So, as long as Israel continues to deny the rights of Palestinians to a sovereign and independent state, the region is poised to see more tensions and fricitons and even wars in the near future.

Resilience and resistance

It is intentionally premeditated to mix resistance and terrorism in order to discredit those who fight for their dignity and independence. Palestinians have been subjected to all kinds of stigma and terrorism. Even the wars in Iraq, Syria, Libya are fundamentally the result of excessive foreign military interference, which has fallen under the umbrella of promoting democratic values, but in reality for geopolitical reasons and the exploitation of national resources. .

The challenges of peace

Peace and security are the main challenges in the region, and as long as peaceful and peaceful solutions are neglected to the detriment of military actions, there will be no lasting peace and security. Great Powers Have Moral Duties and Obligations to Refrain from Supporting Military Actions. Thus, it should be remembered that the last agreement negotiated at the White House under the supervision of President Donald Trump, between Isreal on the one hand, and Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the other hand, will not be accepted by the Arab populations as long as the Palestinians rights are completly ignored. Needless to remember, in negotiating a deal with Isreal, these Arab leaders are more concerned about their own fate than the future of their people. Democracy, human rights and press freedom are not at all high on their political agenda, on the contrary, they are "using" Iran as a "scapegoat" to maintain a state of fear and tension justifying their policies

Culture of Peace

It can be noticed that the great powers are still selling arms, these countries should stop pouring arms into the Middle East region if they sincerely want peace and security. The United Nations and regional organizations must disseminate and defend a culture of peace and negotiation. They should encourage movements and initiatives around the world that call for peaceful solutions. Most importantly, the world should give peace a chance in this particular part of the world, in this time of pandemic stress where countries are facing the common disease, they should express more support, sympathy and solidarity. The great powers must give peace a chance and refrain from supporting one against the other and also common sense and solidarity must prevail in order to avoid for future generations another war in the region.