Debate: The Middle East

Oil. That is what the modern Middle Eastern geopolitics have usually been about. Given the vast energy resources that form the backbone of western economies, influence and involvement in the Middle East has been of paramount importance for the former and current imperial and super powers, including France, Britain, USA and the former Soviet Union.

Prior to the discovery of oil, the region has been a hotbed for religious conflict, and wars over other rich resources and arable land. The interests that the West (primarily Britain and France during European colonial times and now the US) has had has been due to the energy and resource interests and to battle against the Ottoman Empire.

As a result, for centuries, the western population has been acclimatized to a type of propaganda and vilification of the Arab people of the Middle East, and of Islam in general. This was especially so during the European colonial times, as so vividly examined by Edward Said, in his well-respected book, Orientalism. Both before and after the Ottoman Empire, geopolitically speaking, this negative stereotyping has served to provide justifications for involvement and to ensure "stability" for the powers that wanted to be involved in the region.

In the modern times too, this cultural stereotyping and racism has occurred. Often, especially in the 1980s from war films depicting an Arab or Islamic group as the bad guys were common place. Even in the 1990s, those ideas continue, where the bad guy is often a despotic Arab from one of the "rogue states". Over such a long time then, such boundaries of discourse about the Middle East have already been framed. To overstep those boundaries is to be labeled anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi, anti-West or some other equally negative label. For most journalists in the mainstream then, self-censorship is often the course, sometimes unknowingly.

To maintain superiority, control and influence over the region, the West has placed corrupt Arab leaders into positions of power and supported the overthrow of those that are not seen as favorable. This has also served to keep their populations at bay, in return for militarization, power and personal wealth of the elite. Sometimes this has been done in the name of fighting communism. The common theme underlying it though has been the struggle to control access to important resources such as oil.

The Middle East is the most militarized region in the world and most arms sales head there. A suppressed people that sees US influence as a major root cause of the current problems in the Middle East has led to a rise in Islamic militancy, acts of terrorism and anti-west sentiment. Anti-US in particular. When looking at some of the actions of the US, it can often be seen why this is unfortunately so.

A 1300 Year Struggle for Control of resources:
http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/MiddleEast/1300.asp

Control of Resources; Supporting Dictators, Rise of Terrorism

The Middle East used to be a centre for medicine and scientific development in the world. It was peaceful with China (which was also a major player when it came to scientific progression), and trade was fine between them (hence the creation of the Silk Road). Relations with Europe were also good. It was only when conflict between Europe and Arabia started did things get worse (i.e. the Crusades). Many families in the Middle East can still trace their ancestors all the way back to the crusades, and are more knowledgeable on how the crusades affected them than the Europeans are. Most problems in the Middle East stem from the First World War (which gave rise to Nazism and Communism, which oppressed the Islamic world).

The British and colonial periods obviously had somewhat... of an effect

Yeah the brits did have an effect too - due to their Colonialistic views.

Incidentally, my Grandad served in the Intelligence Corps in the British Army when the War finished - in the Mandate of Palestine - a state that was free from Israel. I think they were taken over by Israel in the 1950s or something.