Middle Eastern geopolitics 101: A beginner’s guide
Geopolitics between Middle Eastern countries has played a significant role in shaping the political and militaristic developments in the region throughout history. It is an intricate interplay of geography, resources, ethnicity, and religion, which has created a complex web of alliances, power struggles, and conflicts. One of the primary sources of conflict in the region is the competition for natural resources, particularly oil. The Middle East holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves, and control over these resources is a critical factor in global energy security. The distribution and allocation of oil has led to intense rivalries between nations, with controlling nations seeking to leverage their resources as an advantage in both political and military affairs. Additionally, the religious divide between Shia and Sunni Islam has resulted in animosity and tension, particularly between Iran and the Arab states along PersianGulf. The Sunni Arab states see Iran’s Shia government as...