Incidents in the Arabian Peninsula

Introduction The Arabian Peninsula has been a focal point in the world with the incidents in the region attracting world wide attention. This has been because of the mass quantities of oil reserves that the region holds as therefore making it especially significant to the developed world. Walker et al (2007) declare that the discovery of oil in the first decade of the 20th century forever changed the face of the region.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Incidents in the Arabian Peninsula specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More After the first commercially viable oil struck in the Gulf in 1908, Arab local ruler’s interest in oil was heightened. Walker et al (2007) notes that this interest was sparked by the desire by rulers to bolster their finances. As of this time, most of the Arabian Peninsula countries were colonized by Britain. In the 1960s, countries in the Gulf region began gaining independence which resulted in an increase say by the population on how to use the oil revenues. A major result of the mass quantities of exported oil in the Arabian Peninsula was the rapid modernization of Arab communities. Before the oil wealth, most of the population in the Arab States was rural and led a primitive nomadic lifestyle. Oil revenues helped change the communities into modern entities with the state boasting of good infrastructure for its people. As a result of the enormous wealth, most states were able to establish generous welfare program that â€Å"emphasized primary health care and universal education† (Walker et al. 2007). The oil Embargo of 1973 is hailed as a historic event since it demonstrated a major use of oil as a political weapon by the Arab states. Shwadran (1977) reveals that the following the hostilities between the Arabs and the Israeli, the oil ministers in Arab countries met and held discussions as to the implications of the war. The Arab States representatives unanimo usly decided to cut oil supplies to all the consuming countries and more drastically to impose a total embargo on the United States and Holland who were the major supporters of Israel. Falola and Genova (2005) document that the objectives of the embargo were to directly impact Israel by cutting its oil supplies as well as its biggest Western supporters. The Arab States came up with a number of conditions which had to be fulfilled before the cut in supplies could be lifted. This conditions were; Israeli withdrawal from all the Arab territory she occupied and the granting of rights to the Palestinian people. While the embargo was finally lifted in 1974 without either of the demands of the Arab State being met, the embargo highlighted the power that the Arab oil producers held.Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The embargo resulted in the Western world acknowledging the vulne rable position that resulted from the great dependence on Oil from the Arab States. In addition to the political leverage that imposition of oil embargoes gave to the Arab states, the embargoes also made them wealthier. This is because each embargo resulted in a surge in oil prices which resulted in even greater wealth for the oil producing countries. The embargo demonstrates a recognition by the Arab states of the importance of oil to the world and their attempt to exploit this for a political cause. While the plan was a failure since the Arab producing countries lifted the oil embargo before achieving their cause. However, the embargo resulted in a reasonable increase in the oil revenue to the advantage of the Arab States. In addition to this, the embargo revealed to the world the power that the Arab states could posses when they acted in unity. Difficulties in Attaining a 2-State Solution While the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict date back many centuries with both Jews and M uslims laying claim to the land of Israel, the conflict as we currently know it traces its roots to 1948. This was when the United Nations established the state of Israeli and encouraged Jews from all over the world to immigrate to the land. This led to a displacement of hundreds of thousands of Arabs who had previously occupied the land and resulted in a number of Arab-Israeli Wars over the formation of the state of Israel and the rights of the Palestinians. Attempts at ending the conflict have been underway with the most notable step being the 1993 Oslo Accord during which the 2-state solution was proposed (Zanotti, 2010).While many Palestinians are committed to the â€Å"principle of self-determination† and Israelis are opposed to a one state solution, the 2-state option still remains evasive. Some of the major reasons are as outlined below. A major concern for Israel has been the security of her people from attacks. This concern has been validated by the constant tensions between Israelis and Palestinians as well as the upsurge of attacks by both sides (Zanotti, 2010). At the present, Israeli has an upper hand due to its control of the Jordan valley as well as control of the entire airspace, Were a 2-state solution to be achieved, Israel would be required to give up the Jordan valley and allow Palestinians to control the airspace as well as the frontiers that lie in their territory. This would greatly increase Israel’s vulnerability to attacks as well as limit its defense capabilities. Another reason why a 2-state solution would be difficult to achieve is because of the settlement projects by Israel. As it currently stands, Israel has and is continuing to set up settlements in the West Bank. While this has been cause for many demonstrations by Palestinians and Arab states, Israel has continued to establish new projects. If a 2-state solution were to be reached, it would invariably call for Israel to abandon its settlements.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Incidents in the Arabian Peninsula specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Kelman (2011) declares that the settlement process itself has resulted in increasing opposition by Israelis to the proposed two-state solution. As such, while both the Palestinian leadership and the State of Israel have recognized each other’s political legitimacy a 2-state solution has not been achieved. Currently Palestine is under Israeli troop’s occupation. This has been one of the bones of contention with much of the democratic world deeming Israelis occupation as illegal. A 2-state solution would call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops so as to enforce the sovereignty of the Palestinian state. Zanotti (2010) states that this relinquishing of full control over territory and borders by Israel is highly unlikely in any foreseeable future. Considering the fact that an end to Israeli occupation of the West Bank is one of the major demands by Palestinians before a 2-state solution can be reached, the Israeli stand presents a major difficulty in the 2-state solution. As can be seen through this paper, the Arab-Israeli conflict has major ramifications to the rest of the world. Many negotiations have been held in an attempt to come up with a peaceful solution to the conflict with the 2-state solution being the most promising one. However, various issues have resulted in both sides sabotaging the solution up to the present time. References Falola, T. Genova, A. (2005). The politics of the global oil industry: an introduction. Greenwood Publishing Group. Kelman, H. C. (2010). A One-Country / Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Middle East Policy Council Shwadran, B. (1977). Middle East oil: issues and problems. Transaction Publishers.Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Walker, J., Butler, S., Carter, T., Dunston, L. Gordon, F. (2007). Oman, UAE Arabian Peninsula. NY: Lonely Planet. Zanotti, J. (2010). Israel and the Palestinians: Prospects for a Two-State Solution. Congressional Research Service. 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