POWER POLITICS
AND THE EMERGENCE OF TERRORISM IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Md. Khaled Hosen 1
1Post Graduate student and
Researcher, department of Political
Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia P.O. Box 10, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Email: khaled.du502gmail.com
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ABSTRACT |
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Keywords: Power Politics; Emergence; Terrorism;
Middle East; |
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Terrorism,
at present instant, destroyed the possibility of safer world and became a
great challenging security issue of maintaining the peaceful order of human
movement. At this critical moment, it is crying need to clearly identify the
root causes of terrorism and how it emerged in global surface. One of the
important reasons of the emergence of terrorism in the Middle East is the
hard core power politics of the powerful states. The existing literature is
not enough for comprehensive understanding about the causes of terrorism in
this region. My paper will follow empirical method of study for
delineating the truth that, how
blatant power politics of the United States, Russia, and regional countries
prevailed divine environment for rising of terror groups in the Middle East. Publisher All rights reserved. |
INTRODUCTION
What factors
behind the blame for the
emergence of terrorism in the Middle East as the world is
jeopardized by recent attacks in many places in the contemporary situation.
What are the consequences prevailed for the infuriating emergence of terrorism.
The answer is more essential than ever.
However, for comprehension the grounds of terrorism in the Middle East.
Study ought not to focus on one and just sided perspective or giving
shortcoming on a particular segment, which incite the wrong evaluation. This
study recognized three central, interrelated variables, which are commonly
responsible for the extension of terrorism in that region. The author will
inspect it in like way to disentangle the muddled realities for the escalation
of terrorism in the Middle East.
In
the current world, terrorism is an image of fright. Each and every moment
people feel uncertain by the fear of terrorism.
The hearts of people are trembling in suspicion that they may die by the
sudden attack of terrorist. It is the global concern and great challenges for
the security of the entire humanity. Because peace and security is plundered by
the heinous activities of the terrorist and the blood of the innocent people
assumes more available to them than water. The recent Paris attacks reminded us
again the agonizing experiences. The Al-Qaeda, ISISL or the other terrorist
groups now are the images of terror and the painful reality. Since terrorists
declared war against states and the people. Therefore, the study of terrorism
became the integral part of international politics.
The big questions dictate on our mind why terrorism in the world,
particularly in the Middle East? How it has emerged in the global face? And who
are the facilitators and benefactors? Is there any political game applied by someone
or some actors to strengthen the political power? For finding the answers of
the above questions this study is formulated to explore the answers of some
basic research questions by which the
author attempted to portray that, how great states power politics and
regional internal crises are responsible for the critical emergence of
terrorism in the Middle East.
METHODOLOGY
This study will
take over Qualitative research strategies relying upon content analysis. The
information will be utilized for substance examination are: Articles from academic peer reviewed journals.
Addresses and meetings of political leaders and researchers, TV interviews of
international specialists. Web sites, Daily, weekly, monthly newspapers, and
pertinent books and literature so that the research can acquire the in depth
analysis
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Before going into
the hypothetical analysis, it is required to discuss the theoretical aspects of
power politics to understand the relation between power politics and terrorism
in the Middle East. From the theory of realism in international politics, it is
obvious to us that the nature of the international system is anarchic, means
the absence of central authority in the global governance more clearly we can
say, “Governance without the government”. Great powers are the main actors in
world politics and they operate in an anarchic system. The main goal of states
is survival. Mearsheimer,
(2006). Structural realism. Therefore, we can argue that, force is the ultimate
mechanism to sustain in the stadium of power game. Every state is a concern for
its security. Therefore, the states believe that security can be ensured by the
maximization of power. And the states continue to apply force till the
achievement of the state of hegemony.
DYNAMICS OF POWER POLITICS IN
THE MIDDLE EAST
For understanding
the Middle East strains we need to comprehend the dynamics and multipolar
relationship among the internal and external actors of power game. Furthermore,
how their approaches prompted the development of terror groups in this region such as Al-Qaeda
and ISISL. As Garikai Chengu. (Dec 15.2015). In his article published in Global Research, America Created Al-Qaeda and the ISIS Terror
Group, identified that, There are basically three wars being
pursued in Syria one between the government and the radicals, another between
Iran and Saudi Arabia, and yet another in the between America and Russia. The
author confidently claimed that, it is this third, neo-Cold War competition
that made U.S. foreign policy designers choose to go for broke of furnishing
Islamist rebels in Syria, since Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, is a key
Russian associate. May be embarrassingly, a number of these Syrian rebels have
now ended up being ISIS hooligans, who are straightforwardly displaying American-made
M16 Assault rifles. Garikai Chengu(.dec 15.2015.)
In my point of view, there are three power full actors in the power game
competition in the Middle East. (1) Regional actors (2) United States and
European Union (3) and the Russia
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
From scrutinizing the actions and policies of
the above three actors in the Middle East the author has determined the
objectives of the study to explore the answers of the following research
questions for the emergence of terrorism in the region.
(1) How dynastic and authoritative nature of Middle East
states gave the access of the formulation of terrorism.
(2) How the great powerful states involved in the power
competition in that region and why they participated and what are the policies
they employed to serve their interest.
(3) .And how these strategic power games of great powers
contributed to the formation of the terror group in the Middle East
THE REGIONAL INTERNAL FACTORS OF
THE MIDDLE EAST STATES
There are numerous
basic components in the regional internal factors for prevailing the
environment of terrorism. This study will attempt to clarify some of them. For
instance, the initial patronages from the worldwide forces for their own advantages,
the yearning and grisly nature of Arab governments and their wish to duck
democratic system and prominent uprising in their own particular kingdoms, with
the vicinity of petrodollars, are all the fundamental carter of such a large
amount of terrorism in the Middle East.
The authoritative nature of state system
When Hitler came to the highest command in Germany what was the situation? The whole
area had to suffer. The present Middle East is loaded with tyrants, savage, and
dictators, who bolster their plans regardless of the fact that brutality is
required. The majority of the Middle East states is authoritarian character and dynastic
legislative issues is as yet winning in current phase. The governments of this
state are similar to despots. Since they are a long way from the order of their
populace due to the non-appearance of majority rule or participatory political
framework. Consequently, the administrations are confronting legitimacy crises
which debilitate them in the unverifiable future. Therefore, they took the
proactive, forceful steps towards the general population so that no rivalry can
develop. These oppressive strategies offer indignation in the brains of the suffered group against
the government. In this way, they attempt to discover substitution to take the
vengeance.
Huge income gaps between the higher and lower class
The exclusive
class and the civil servants of those nations enjoy much financial assets and
countless benefits from petrodollars
which gave them extremely extravagant life, however, an extensive number of the
populace remain unemployed especially the immense number of youngsters are
dejected for facing insufficient salary or income sources. This hardship enrages to the suffered group
against the ruling government which bolster hostile to government power.
The security dilemma and power competition
In the Middle East, states are more skeptical
of their neighboring state and most concern for the rival power, they consider
as the biggest threat to their survival. Therefore, the arms race and power
competition are ultimate result. Each and every state are competing for the
maximization of power. For that end, they do not bother to take military
actions against the rival states or groups as Dr. Hasan Askari claimed in the
article published in tribune. pk( April 5, 2015)
“The internal strife in Yemen, and Saudi Arabia’s military intervention there, is the latest episode in the
political history of the Middle East, which has been marked by internal
revolts, intra-region conflicts, one state resorting to military intervention
or supporting dissident groups in another state” The regional powerful states take efforts to
be in the leading position in the region like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qtar ,Israel,
Turkey, UAE etc.
The ideological conflicts as the major crisis emerged
Islam and
nationalism is the hot level headed discussion in the present Middle East.
Basir Nafi claimed in Al Jazeera,( Feb 19. 2008). Notwithstanding the Arabs' inability to set up their
united and autonomous state after World War I, youthful Arab nationalists, as
Darwish al-Miqdadi, Zaki al-Arsuzi, Edmond Rabat and Qunstantin Zurayq, alumni
of the American University of Beirut and French and British colleges, looked to
re-underscore the venture of Arab solidarity by utilizing the force of an
envisioned ethnic essence. Therefore, the supporters of the two belief system
are more concern to clarify and fortify their rationality in both scholarly and
in applied field. Furthermore, Both the Arab Islamists and Arab patriots moved
to legitimize their presence by revising their own particular history in
segregation from the historical backdrop of others, or even by de-legitimizing
the other. (Nafi, 2008)
The rise of Islamism in Middle East
This issue is
terminating the pressure among the present administrations of the Arab states.
The disappointment of nationalism and secularism, the abusive tenet of
governments, the feeling of hostile to Americanism, impel numerous individuals
to take the other overseeing guideline of their states. This inclinations
undermine the predominant administrations. Thusly, the governing states are
supporting the terror groups who are agreeable to them to drag out their span.
"The greatest advocates of Islamic terror crowds around the globe are
Saudi Arabia: a government attempting to impact the region around to sustain
its supremacy" Hillary Clinton, (30 Dec, 2009), The Guardian. )
However why would
it be sensible for them? Indeed, on the grounds that individuals in the Middle
East are religious, and wish to take after their religion. Yet, this might
transform into dangers to them (kingdoms), if it is possible that they don't
have rules supporting Islam, or they themselves don't follow up on it. In any case,
these verifiable requests can't be satisfied in any absolute monarchy.
Henceforth, the need emerges to change the tide into their support: in this
way, they planned to adjust religion and how would they attempt that:
overwhelming financing to madrasas to spread thoughts expected to give fighters
why should willing do anything for their forerunners. Add this to oil
subsidizing, and starting backing by the worldwide forces to make armed forces
to battle against their foes and consequently, emergence of terrorist
organization is self-evident.
THE INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION
OF GREAT POWERS
Middle Eastern
states have been stranded against entrance and intervention by additional
territorial states like the US, European nations and Russia (the Soviet Union) either
in light of the fact that the Middle Eastern states look for outside backing
for their internal and regional agenda
or the extra regional states abuse these conflicts further bolstering
their good fortune. Dr
Askari Rizvi (April 5, 2015) the Express Tribune pk. The United States and many
European partners took an interest in the NATO-drove military mediation in
backing of dissident powers that at last toppled the Qadhafi administration.
What's more, as showings in Syria swelled into a ridiculous civil war, the
United States and the European Union (EU) have enforced sanctions, required a
conclusion to the ruling Asad government, and are considering more remarkable
material and money related patronage to the Syrian political and armed
opposition. "(Rizvi, 2015).
As per STEPHEN KINZER,( Nov, 24, 2015) in an opinion in Boston Globe claimed
that, according to him. “Interventions multiply our enemies. Every village
raid, every drone strike, and every shot fired in anger on foreign soil
produces anti-Western passion. Some are shocked when that passion leads to
violent reaction. They should not be. The instinct to protect one’s own, and to
strike back against attackers, is as old as humanity itself”. He further asserted that, “It was never
realistic for the West — the invading world — to imagine that it is an
impregnable fortress, or an island, or a planet apart from the regions its
armies invade. This is especially true of Europe, which is literally just a
long walk from the conflict zone. Now that Russia has joined the list of
intervening powers, it too is vulnerable. So is the United States. We are
farther away and protected by oceans, but in the modern world, that is not
enough. Blowback is now global.” KINZER, (2015)
Moreover, the picture of International intervention assessment in the
Middle East shows more clear by the suggestion of The American policy makers in
a report to the American congress. Kristin Archick and Derek E. Mix, (June 12, 2013), “The United States and Europe: Responding to Change in the Middle East
and North Africa, according to them
“As the major powers were adjusting to these new dynamics, the Middle East
was rocked by three phenomena that changed the character of the region and the
terms on which outsiders must engage it. First, the Iraq war polarized the countries
of the region and roiled relations among the major outside powers. Second,
Islamic extremism sunk deeper roots and sparked divisions among outside powers
about how to respond to it. And third, the region experienced the so-called
Arab Spring, which upset not only the domestic norms of many countries, but
also changed many of the personalities and institutions that served for years
as conduits to the outside powers”
THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE US AND EU BLOCKS
IN THE MIDDLE
EAST POLITICAL PROCESS
There dynamic
support has exacerbate the environment of the whole region. But the Question is
why they involved in the power politics in the far region from the other
continent? According to John Mclaughlin, (2015)
“Europe and the United States have been
more deeply involved in the Middle East than other major powers. The United
States has been drawn to the region because of its perceived global
responsibilities, commitment to Israel’s security, and energy needs”
On the other hand,
Henry Kissinger (August 29, 2014) ,” in Wall Street Journal, admitted that, The mastery of a
region by one nation militarily,
regardless of the possibility that it brings the presence of order, could
create a crisis for whatever remains of the world.
Now the vital
question is why the United States and EU blocks are directly intervening and
creating a war in the Middle East? The exact reasons according to my point of
view, are the following….
INVOLVEMENT OF RUSSIA
we find about the same reason of involvement of
Russia what is US, EU s allience are determined, the geo-political importance, arms market and
speacially the oil resources of Middle East lands. therefore, the history of
Russian participation in the Arab region is not for few years but many. According to JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, (2015)
“Russia recognizes the importance of all the changes underway in the Middle
East and is building on traditional alliance relationships to assure its
leverage in any resolution of regional issues”
Present soviet
operations in the middle east are just the most recent appearances of almost
three centuries of Russian endeavors to venture into that region, Russian wars
with the Turks started in the 1680s, and the subject of access to the
Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf has posed a potential threat in Russian eyes
subsequent to the times of Peter the Great. Supreme Russia and the Ottoman
Empire were in regular clash for over 200 years as progressive Tsars attempted
to push over the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
AGAIN THE INQUIRY EMERGES WHAT ARE
THE MEASURES THEY COUPLED TO
ACCOMPLISH THEIR ADVANTAGE?
To accomplish
their objectives In brief we can say, hypothetically US boost the parity of
force and took forceful strategies towards the Middle East. We know the Middle
East states are either in American block or Russian block after the breakdown
of cold war American strategy turned out to be more forceful for thoroughly
ousting the influence of Russia since they thought it is the high time to make
this move, in this way, they made following practical strides
THE STRATEGIC POWER POLITICS OF GREAT
POWERS IN MIDDLE EAST AND
THE RISING OF TERRORIST
Now what are the
outcomes the middle East experienced by the great stats powers politics? The
international actors for their strategic interest played the multidimensional
role so that they maximize their power position. From the earliest starting
point of the historical backdrop of the cold war United States applied
different policies to oust its opponent part, Russia from Middle East
particularly from Afghanistan. For instance, the United States buttressed and
prepared the Taliban and Al-Qaeda to encounter against Russia. There are
numerous confirmations in supporting of this claims. In (6th December 1993), western media “the Independent” published an article
calling “Osama Bin Laden as a warrior”! The Independent 6th Dec,
1993. US bolster Taliban by making participation with Pakistan utilizing their
intelligence agency. The CIA and ISI assumed a key part to prepare and help the
Taliban. According to YACOV BEN EFRAT,( November 21, 2001)in Green left weekly,
“The fundamentalist character of
Pakistan's regime did not bother Washington. On the contrary, the CIA adopted a
view put forth by Pakistan's ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence): the Islamic
extremists in Afghanistan must be aided in their struggle against the more
educated, liberal, left-leaning classes”
In addition, AHMED
NAFEEZ MOSADDEQ, (OCT.25, 2015), GLOBAL DIALOGUE, Volume 4.
Asserted that, "The United States upheld the Afghan rebels all
through the 1980s, until Soviet powers hauled out of Afghanistan. This
patronage came in plain structures, for example, permitting and empowering
client states, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to offer arms to the Afghan
Mujahideen, and clandestinely through direct CIA association fit as a fiddle of
financing and preparing. Therefore, US power diversion against Russia in Middle
East added to the rise of Taliban as a solid power in Afghanistan.
THE RISING OF AL- QAEDA, BIN LADEN AND ISIS
In the event that
we concentrate on the strong affirmation in an article of Former British
Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook circulated in the Guardian, (eighth Jul, 2005), then we will have the capacity to see how western power politics is more
in charge of the rise of terrorism in the Middle East. According to him,
“Bin Laden was, though, a product of a
monumental miscalculation by western security agencies. Throughout the 80s, he
was armed by the CIA and funded by the Saudis to wage jihad against the Russian
occupation of Afghanistan. Al-Qaida, literally "the database", was
originally the computer file of the thousands of mujahideen who were recruited
and trained with help from the CIA to defeat the Russians. Inexplicably, and
with disastrous consequences, it never appears to have occurred to Washington
that once Russia was out of the way, Bin Laden's organization would turn its
attention to the west”
More thorough
explanation, we see from Garikai chengu,( December 16, 2015) in journal of
Global Research. Much like Al Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS) is
made-in-the-USA, an instrument of terror intended to partition and vanquish the
oil-rich Middle East and to counter Iran's developing impact in the region. The
way that the United States has a long and torrid history of sponsorship
terrorist groups will astonish just the individuals who watch the news and
overlook history. The CIA initially adjusted itself to fanatic Islam amid the
Cold War period. In those days, America saw the world in rather simple terms:
on one side, the Soviet Union and Third World nationalism, which America viewed
as a Soviet apparatus; on the other side, Western countries and belligerent
political Islam, which America considered an associate in the battle against
the Soviet Union.The author further stated that,
“America’s relationship with Al Qaeda has
always been a love-hate affair. Depending on whether a particular Al Qaeda
terrorist group in a given region furthers American interests or not, the U.S. State
Department either funds or aggressively targets that terrorist group. Even as
American foreign policy makers claim to oppose Muslim extremism, they knowingly
foment it as a weapon of foreign policy. The Islamic State is its latest weapon
that, much like Al Qaeda, is certainly backfiring. ISIS recently rose to
international prominence after its thugs began beheading American journalists.
Now the terrorist group controls an area the size of the United Kingdom” (23 chengu, (December 16, 2015)
The specialists
belief that, US and EU squares Iraq war drove the establishment of the
arrangement of ISIL as "Tony Blair Says Iraq War Helped Give Rise to
ISIS" KIMIKO DE FREYTAS-TAMURA. 26, 10, 2015.New York Times. But once
more, there are the colossal force legislative issues behind the ISIL what I
have talked about that if there any probability of rising any state which is
against the interest of US, the strategy of them is to topple down the specific
individuals and change the régime. The most recent assault in Syria is the
barefaced illustration of utilization of power politics of more
noteworthy states. America is utilizing ISIS as a part of three courses: to
assault its foes in the Middle East, to serve as a guise for U.S. military
intervention abroad, and at home to incite a produced domestic danger, used to
legitimize the phenomenal extension of obtrusive domestic reconnaissance"
Chengu, (December 16, 2015) Global
Research. As Martin Jay (05 Dec, 2015) in an opinion with Aljazeera claimed that,
“Russia does not want ISIL to be destroyed in
Syria as Putin fears many of the mercenaries from the West will head to
Chechnya. The West doesn't want ISIL to be destroyed as it will legitimise Assad's
stature. And Turkey doesn't want ISIL to be weakened as this would strengthen
the Kurds”
Consequently, the
more the length of power politics is commanding in the Middle East, the
condition is going more closer to the obliteration of the state's social
standard structure and likewise peaceful order of government control to the
population in that region. Which will finally provoke the development of
substitute power structure to hold the predominance of the state.
CONCLUSION
Middle East is pulverized by the horror assaults of
terrorists. This region is currently the focal field for the players of power game. The colossal states are busier for extending their strength and
flourishing their advantage. As we see, the United States and Russia both are planning to win
over one another to support their predominance and accomplish the point of
preference, for that end, they utilized the regional despots as their power agent and playing as per their approaches. This study contends that, this power politics of the most powerful states are more in charge of the rise of terrorism in the Middle East.
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