Great power rivalry in the Middle East (original) (raw)

China, Russia and the Great Power Contest in the Middle East

Sino-Russian Relations in the 21st Century, 2018

Great powers have shaped events in the Middle East ever since the decline of Ottoman power in the eighteenth century. 1 During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union contended for influence in the region through their respective client states. Following the Soviet collapse and the end of the Cold War, the influence of the United States became paramount and many Middle Eastern countries bandwagoned with the hegemon. 2 Today we see the contours of a new great power contest in the Middle East, 3 with the United States being challenged by Russia and China. The balance of power in the Middle East depends on the polaritythe number of great powers-and nature of engagement, whether it is competitive, cooperative or hegemonic. If one of the great powers attempts to dominate the region, the others tend to increase their support for local allies to prevent these from bandwagoning with the would-be hegemon. 4 Since the 1990-1991 Gulf War, the United States has dominated the Middle East. However, the durability of the post-Cold War unipolar US-led international system is increasingly in question. 5

Power Relations in Middle East

The global politics and power relations in the Middle East is quite the unique and fluctuate one now a day, as the spring of democracy and major transition happens all the way during the last three years.

Regional Power Competition and the Middle East Regional Order, 1945–2010

Central European Journal of International and Security Studies, 2021

To understand the current character of the Middle East region, one must have a clear picture of the context in which the prevailing order was formed. One must take into account the relationships between parties, the dominant behaviour patterns of the entities and institutions that created and shaped the regional order and interference from external forces. However, periods of stability and instability and ongoing security issues are best explained the by power, ambition, behaviour and interaction of the regional powers (Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey). The relationships and conflicts between these powers, as well as examples of cooperation and integration, will be at the centre of our examination of the changes in the regional order of the Middle East during the past seven decades.

The Impact of Regional Powers' Competition on the Middle East Regional Order, 1945–2010

Central European Journal of International and Security Studies, 2016

To understand the current character of the Middle East region, one must have a clear picture of the context in which the prevailing order was formed. One must take into account the relationships between parties, the dominant behaviour patterns of the entities and institutions that created and shaped the regional order and interference from external forces. However, periods of stability and instability and ongoing security issues are best explained the by power, ambition, behaviour and interaction of the regional powers (Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey). The relationships and conflicts between these powers, as well as examples of cooperation and integration, will be at the centre of our examination of the changes in the regional order of the Middle East during the past seven decades.

Shaping a new world order: The Gulf and the greater Middle East stake their claim

Gulf Monographic Series No. 5, 2019

The 21st century’s Great Game is about the creation of a new Eurasia-centred world. It locks China, the United States, Russia, India, Japan and Europe into what is an epic battle. Yet, they are not the only players. Middle Eastern rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran, are key players too. As they vie for big power favour, they compete to secure the ability to shape the future architecture of Eurasia’s energy landscape, enhance leverage by increasing energy and oil product market share, and position themselves as the key nodes in infrastructure networks. With China, Russia, the United States, India and Japan as the heavy weights, the Great Game is unlikely to produce an undisputed winner. Nor do key players perceive it as a zero-sum-game. The stakes in the game are about divvying up the pie and ensuring that China despite its vast resources, economic leverage, and first starter advantage in infrastructure linkages, does not emerge as the sole dominant power in Eurasia’s future architecture.

Middle East and the International Strategic Shifts

Association of Academic Researchers and Faculties (AARF Publications), 2019

Abstract The region of the Middle East witnesses a state of nervousness dominated by sectarian conflicts and the spread of the dangers of extremism and terrorism in most Arab countries, as well as the escalation of political and military competition among the major regional powers in changing the strategic balance equations through direct clashes or acting wars. Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel are the key forces in the region, each seeking to be the only superpower in the region. The Middle East may witness other, more surprising, strategic shifts that are contrary to all expectations and possible scenarios. Perhaps this was the first lesson we learned from the Arab Spring, which may have surprised the entire world in its unpredictability, as well as its consequences and its tracks. Therefore, the political landscape in the region and the transformations of the scene carries many opportunities and challenges for the various parties, and no one enjoys sovereignty and control in general, and therefore the strategic horizon and strategic dimensions of the International Research Journal of Human Resource and Social Sciences ISSN(O): (2349-4085) ISSN(P): (2394-4218) Impact Factor 5.414 Volume 6, Issue 8, August2019 Website- www.aarf.asia, Email : editoraarf@gmail.com © Association of Academic Researchers and Faculties (AARF) A Monthly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories. Page | 22 scene is still trying to form levers, both according to position and in accordance to the region‟s strategy. Key words: National Strategy, National security, Middle East, Arab Spring.**Abstract** The Middle East is experiencing a state of anxiety characterized by sectarian conflicts and the rise of extremism and terrorism across many Arab countries. This situation is compounded by heightened political and military competition among the major regional powers, as they seek to alter the strategic balance through direct confrontations or proxy wars. Key players in the region—including Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel—are each striving to emerge as the sole superpower. The region may also encounter unexpected strategic shifts that defy prevailing expectations and scenarios. The Arab Spring served as an early lesson in this unpredictability, surprising the entire world with its outcomes and consequences. As a result, the political landscape in the Middle East, along with its evolving dynamics, presents numerous opportunities and challenges for various stakeholders. No single entity enjoys full sovereignty or control, indicating that the strategic horizon remains in flux. The region is continuing to seek mechanisms to navigate its complexities, influenced by both geopolitical positions and overarching strategies. Key words: National Strategy, National Security, Middle East, Arab Spring.

USA-CHINA ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC COMPETITION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Zenodo, 2024

Recently, there has been competition between the USA and China. The Middle East is one of those critical places where the United States and China are becoming involved, from trade conflict to expanding their spheres of influence. Throughout history, conflicts between numerous superpowers have been sparked by events in the Middle East. The vast natural resource, commercial routes, and communicational sea lanes are the main causes. Any significant state would need to strengthen its position in the Middle Eastern region in order to pursue the establishment of a universal world system. In order to comprehend the dynamics of the US-China competition in the Middle East, this study explains strategic and economic goals. The paper emphasizes how China has used a neo-liberal strategy in the Middle East.

Survival of Two Regional Powers at the Expense of the Security of the Middle East

Many have called the current relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia a cold war. In an article in "The National Interest", Mohammed Ayoob refers to the competition between the two as "a new cold war" [Ayoob, 2013]. The relationship betweenIran and Saudi Arabia for the last three and a half decades has been tumultuous at best, so talk of conflict between these two countries isn't anything new. The conflict is occasionally given more visibility to the rest of the world by media attention and political analysis, but it's typically overshadowed by other newsworthy events elsewhere. However, now it looks like their infighting has expanded to full out aggression. The upsizing in military might have major and long-lasting consequences for many of the people that live in the Middle East. Current events related to the conflict between the two countries risk creating a new border system to emerge. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are fully responsible for the birth, development, and shaping of the coming borders. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the background of the conflictbetween Iran and SaudiArabia; a conflict with a Middle Eastern instability and danger of secessions in the region as part of the consequences. It is intended to provide a highlighting of the twocountries' hugeinternalchallenges and thus the need to externalenemies in the form of intensifying the historicalShia-Sunniconflict.