Geopolitical Changes in the Arab-Israeli Confrontation

The Main Phases of Geopolitical Changes in the Arab-Israeli Confrontation

A comparative analysis between conflicts: Kosovo and the August War in Georgia

In the world one of the most political active regions was and still remains the Middle East. In this region clearly fix two main aspects – geopolitical and economical interests. In the Cold War period Arab-Israeli confrontation we can fix three main phases, which are connected with three main conflicts. Energy resources by which is rich the Middle East (oil and natural gas) is main factor of importance of this region. But in the Arab-Israeli conflict except the major ethnic factor, no less important a factor is water resources.

The first phase of geopolitical changes was the 1948 Arab-Israli War Resistance of League of Arab States to the decision of the UN on division of the territory of Palestine and creation of the Israeli state becoming one of the main causes of conflict. Because of war more than 800,000 thousand Jews living in the Arab countries became refugees and about 600,000 thousand Arabs have left the Arab territories occupied by Israel. As a result of war, Israel has occupied the western Jerusalem and the most part of the Arab territories, except the Gaza Strip, the west bank of the Jordan river.

Second phase of geopolitical changes (6 Day War (1967) was very important for Israeli from the strategy point. Arab coalition lost: Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip (Egypt), Golan Heights (Syria), West Bank and Jerusalem (Jordan). In 1973 Israel lost controle over Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip, but saved conrole over not less important Golan Heinghts. After this were several conflicts without important geopolitical changes. After Camp David Accords and the signed agreement Egypt remains the only country among Arab which has established diplomatic relations with Israel. In 2012 Palestinian Autonomy became member of the UN without voice. Political situation In the Middle Eeast till our days stays critical. In this region we have interests of several super powers: the USA, Russia and EU.

It’s realy true fact that 1973 was one of the most complicated year during all Cold War.

One of the most deliver prejudice vision is such position: ,,this is our land and forighners mustn’t live here. We (nation) live here from  antion period”.

Kosovo conflict recognition way didn’t became an unique precendence. Bad example is said to becomes a tendancy. Such tendancy distroys political relation. Kosovo precednece became sindrome, which influenced various frozen or actual conflicts in diferent regions of the World.

We think that (In our opinion) Kosovo recognition influenced and supported process of becoming Palestinian Autonomy nonvote member of United Nations.

In history we have severl facts when geographical name became the name of people living there. The same factwe have: in Kosovo, Abkhazia and Palestina. Migration processes strongly influenced on demographic situation around this three region. Kosovars real roots are in Albania. In case of Palestinians we have etnic group of Arabians who couldn’t identify themselves neither Iordanians, nor Syrians. Also this situation is similar with case of Bosnias, which ral roots are Serbian but religion became the most significant element of idintification temself as separate nation. If we look to the problem from historical past prisma, we can see that Jewish people and Arabians have general roots. In case of Jewish and Arabians religious factor simillar above mentined Serbians and Bosnians, became an important element of idintification as separate nation. With hepl (support) of Russia Impire ethnic groups of emigrnts mostly from North Caucasus named themselves Abkhasiamegrelo, Adjara, Kakheti and etc.

International Relationship System undergoes the significant changes. The Geographical Factors is still kept as  the definition rate of  political activity. At the same time the interests towards any regions might be caused by the economic factors. The focus of the U.S.A. towards Middle East and Post Soviet Republics (with direct close adjacency with middle east region). The interests of the U.S.A. is caused not only by geopolitical but also economical factors. The region is rich by energetic resources. The energetic resources security is a problem of high priority in the agenda. Day by day the requirements for oil is increasing. The  unstable situation of the region makes the situation tense.

For today the  two-third of  known world oil stock is located in the Middle East. This fact increase the importance of the region. The war going on in Iraq followed by tension connected  with Iran issue entailed catastrophic raise of oil prices.  The developments of political process  is highly depends upon get over of this crisis in the region.

The energetic crisis existed in the world requires swift and efficient solution, maximum mobilization of economic and political resources. The deepening of the crises may  cause stagnation processes of the global character, like  “big depression” period. This may continue rather long time.

Backgroung of conflict around Golan Heights beside strategic factor also is economical. In  this region are located lakes and rivers which are improtant sources.

Camp-David negotiation gave start to a new phase in Israel and Arabian countries affairs. From this periof Egypt still stay alone oustanding country in the list of Arabian countrie which has dimpomatic affairs with Israel. This case became one of the main reason Egypet president assasinated. Anvar Asadt was killed in 1981.

Henry Kissinger mention, that Nikita Khrushov’s position distroy situation in the region of Middle East. In 1955 Soviet Union made mercantinly barter with Egypet. Instead of cotton Soviet Union delivered arm weapon to Egypet. A year after this became a reason of Suez Crisis. Also Soviet support and contribution Arabian countries by arm weapon mainly destabisated situation toward Israel-Arab confrontation and Iraq-Iran War.

International Relationship System undergoes the significant changes. The Geographical Factors is still kept as  the definition rate of  political activity. At the same time the interests towards any regions might be caused by the economic factors. The focus of the U.S.A. towards Middle East and Post Soviet Republics (with direct close adjacency with middle east region). The interests of the U.S.A. is caused not only by geopolitical but also economical factors. The region is rich by energetic resources. The energetic resources security is a problem of high priority in the agenda. Day by day the requirements for oil is increasing. The  unstable situation of the region makes the situation tense.

For today the  two-third of  known world oil stock is located in the Middle East. This fact increase the importance of the region. The war going on in Iraq followed by tension connected  with Iran issue entailed catastrophic raise of oil prices.  The developments of political process  is highly depends upon get over of this crisis in the region.

The energetic crisis existed in the world requires swift and efficient solution, maximum mobilization of economic and political resources. The deepening of the crises may  cause stagnation processes of the global character, like  “big depression” period. This may continue rather long time.

By Alexander Tsurtsumia, Tbilisi State University,nAssistant professor