Abstract This paper explores US policy in the MiddleEast over the last half-century. Several factors that have influenced American diplomatic policy in the region are considered, including the threat of communism and the US reliance on oil. Special consideration is given to the end of the Cold War and its impact on US policy toward Israel and the Arab nations. The paper cites the delicate diplomacy the United States must employ in the region, between appeasing the oil-rich Saudi kingdom, rooting out international terrorism, and maintaining ties with Israel, a democratic ally.
From the Paper "The Soviet Union's dissolution caused a seismic change in the world geopolitical scene, as it spelled the decline of the bipolar balance of power in the world. However, although it called into question a number of the polices of the United States, it could be argued that the collapse of the Soviet Union, ideologically, had less of an impact upon the Middle East than the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Communism had never been a formidable force in the Middle East, unlike Latin America. But it is true that in practical terms of foreign aid, the coming to prominence of fundamentalist regimes in the Middle East in Iran was partially enabled by the decline of Soviet influence, cash and power backing up some regimes, as in Afghanistan. Renegade groups and states in their wrangling for power in the region often used old Soviet weapons, now traded on the black market."
Abstract A paper concerning the topic of the conflict in the MiddleEast and U.S. interests. The paper claims that the United States is interested because of national security, oil and Israel.
Abstract This paper examines MiddleEast terrorism. It looks at how ever since the emergence of MiddleEast terrorism in the nineteen-seventies, it has become increasingly evident that terrorism thrives on media coverage, and tends to fade in influence and significance when media attention is diverted elsewhere. It discusses how subsequently, radical Islamic terrorist tactics and strategy are very media-oriented, for the mass media is seen by terrorists as a long-range weapon that can strike fear into their enemies, regardless of where they live.
Abstract This paper, written from a religious Islamic perspective, explores how diversity represents a major roadblock to achieving peace and harmony in the MiddleEast. The writer first describes the Muslim outlook on cultural diversity, as opposed to Christianity. The paper then highlights the different religious outlooks and sects within Islam. Several obstacles to establishing democracy in the MiddleEast are illustrated, with an emphasis on the suppression of minorities in the region. The author concludes citing Islamic concerns about democratization in Israel.
From the Paper "The Sunni is the largest group of the Islamic faith, with nearly 90% of all Muslims subscribing to this practice (Ibrahim, p. 323-369). The Kharawaj is another major political force in the Islamic world. When the prophet Muhammad died he had no sons to inherit leadership. The primary point of contention between these two groups is how to decide the leadership succession. The Kharawaj reject the Sunni idea that bloodlines are the most important factor, but feel that the right to rule is divinely granted."
Abstract This paper explains that, in the MiddleEast, there is a societal belief in the superiority of men. The author explores the ways in which laws and customs based on religious beliefs and social and governmental policies violate women's human rights in Middle Eastern countries. The paper outlines the steps women have taken to attempt to protect these rights.
From the Paper "On December ..., the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration sets forth thirty Articles that listed certain inalienable rights of all human beings."
Abstract This paper discusses the water resources in the MiddleEast. The essay is based on two articles but will also discuss some of the main researches that have been conducted in this area. Finally it will compare the two articles and give a brief analysis.
Abstract This paper explains that the Barcelona Declaration, and the Barcelona Process that came out of it, marks a new phase in Europe's foreign policy. It explores how this is a stage in which the European Union is announcing that it cannot afford the continuing conflict in the MiddleEast and that peace is the only option. This peace is an important factor in the EU's foreign and security policy. It concludes that, even though the EU is not challenging the role of the United States, it is working for peace, not just following in the U.S.'s footsteps.
From the Paper "The reason why the European Union is placing a high level of importance on the Middle East Peace process is that it is related to its own security. This is admitted in the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and explained in the EU's 1999 statement on peace in the Middle East. As the CFSP openly seems to declare, the security interests of the EU cannot be divorced from the Middle East situation, not just because of the close geographic relation between them but because this area provides the EU with the majority of its energy needs and counts as a major trade partner, not to mention a leading source of investment in Europe (16). Therefore, the close geographic and economic relations between the two regions have placed the EU in a position in which it needs to give a status of priority to the Middle East Peace process. It is as such that the EU's resolution on peace in the Middle East firmly calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state, the removal of illegal Israeli settlements and the return of all occupied Arab territories (""EU European Parliament: Resolution ..."). The fact that the EU stresses these points is because it understands that the realizing of these goals is the only way to stabilize the region, thereby creating a peaceful and stable neighborhood for the EU."
Abstract This paper explains that, in examining the issue of sovereignty in the MiddleEast, it is evident that many Muslim nations have struggled and continue to struggle to overcome local challenges to the authority of the state. The author points out that the insurgency against the Iraqi interim government and its American ally is only one of many examples, which can be cited of internal local challenges in the Muslim world to state sovereignty for in recent years. The paper relates that Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have suffered from internal instability.
From the Paper "In examining the issue of sovereignty in the Middle East, it is evident that many Muslim nations have struggled and continue to struggle to overcome local challenges to the authority of the state. The insurgency against the Iraqi interim government and its American ally is only one of many examples which can be cited of internal local challenges in the Muslim world to state sovereignty, for in recent years, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have also suffered from internal instability because of local challenges to state sovereignty. One of the primary recurring reasons why there have been local challenges to state sovereignty in the Middle East is the questionable legitimacy of many of the national governments in the region."
Abstract Over the last hundred years, the MiddleEast has been one of the most troubled regions in the world. This paper attempts to define the attributes for success in the modern world that the Arab community lacks such as freedom, knowledge and woman power and how these impact the current political situation.
Outline
Islam Causes Conflict in the MiddleEast Islam Does Not Cause Conflict in the MiddleEast The Arab-Israeli Dispute Causes Conflict in the MiddleEast Israeli Leadership Contributes to Conflict in the MiddleEast Palestinian Leadership Contributes to Conflict in the MiddleEast Lack of Democracy Contributes to Conflict in the MiddleEast Oil Profits Cause Conflict in the MiddleEast Water Scarcity Could Cause Conflict in the MiddleEast
From the Paper "Sharon has spent years trying to erase the stain of the Lebanon War. Still, the legal defeat would seem to be the least of his troubles. After he won the premiership by promising to bring peace and security to Israel's citizens, Sharon has produced neither. The conflict with the Palestinians continues to escalate. The day of the court ruling, four Israelis died in Palestinian attacks; the following day, six soldiers died in a strike against an army roadblock. Sharon responded with a rare speech to the nation--in which he disappointed all expectations that he would announce a new policy direction. Among voters, confidence that he has a strategy is bleeding away. In one Israeli public-opinion poll, 29 percent of respondents said that Sharon had a clear plan, while 58 percent said he was simply reacting to events."
Tags: israel, palestine, arab, islam, syria, lebanon, gaza, arafat, oil, water
Abstract This paper reviews the oil and gas industry in the MiddleEast, specifically Oman. The author applies accounting for the industry.
From the Paper "The focus of this paper is financial accounting for the oil and gas industry. While accounting in the oil and gas industry generally is discussed in this paper where appropriate and feasible certain perspectives are provides added emphasis. The first of these perspective sis the Sultanate of Oman. Where conditions or characteristics of either the oil and gas industry or the application of financial accounting in that industry differs markedly between the general industry and the industry in Oman such variations are identified ..."
Tags: Accounting, Oil, &, gas, industry, Middle, East, Oman
Abstract This paper examines the quagmire of MiddleEast politics and how the U.S. has conducted its foreign policy in that region of the world. The paper discusses whether U.S. objectives and its foreign policy in the MiddleEast are morally justifiable and concludes that they are because the goal of the U.S. is primarily one of helping people of the third world countries, while at the same time protecting her own interests.
From the Paper "As far as the scourge of terrorism is concerned, it is a sad but true fact that no leader has managed to succeed in getting to the very root of the problem and thereby finding an appropriate solution to it. There may be a satisfactory explanation for this fact; it may be that the very nature of terrorism being what it is: quite unpredictable and also very asymmetrical, it is virtually impossible to find an adequate solution to the problem, and the underlying issues are so many and so widespread that it is an unattainable goal to hope to find an ideal solution to combat 'terrorism'. In fact, it can be safely stated that the West has actually and virtually outstayed its welcome in most parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, rich in oil as it is, and the leaders in those parts of the world, fuelled by their innate greed, grew from being mere allies of the West to real and true despots, and this because of the one thing that all the world needs: Oil. In fact, Osama bin Laden, as well as Saddam Hussein were allies of the USA in both the US war against Afghanistan as well as in the US war against Iraq respectively. (Going Tactical)"
Abstract This paper claims that it was not until the discovery that the MiddleEast was rich with oil reserves that the countries of the United States, England, France and the Soviet Union became significantly involved in the region. It explains that it was with this discovery, however, that foreign policies were no longer about mere relations with countries, as much as they were about protecting oil interests in countries that brought them riches. It contends that when oil became the most prominent factor for these nations their loyalties to one another were tested, their goals were altered and tensions with the MiddleEast became inevitable.
From the Paper "It was not until the discovery that the Middle East was rich with oil reserves that the countries of the United States, England, France, and the Soviet Union became significantly involved in the region. It was with this discovery, however, that foreign policies were no longer about mere relations with countries, as much as they were about protecting oil interests in countries that brought them riches. When oil became the most prominent factor for these nations their loyalties to one another were tested, their goals were altered, and tensions with the Middle East became inevitable. United States foreign policy in the Middle East became significant in the 1920s due to the interest in oil that was promising in the region. Standard Oil and Texaco, two American oil companies, won bids to begin the exploration for oil in Saudi Arabia in the early 1930s, finally ..."
Abstract This paper contends that American foreign policy towards the MiddleEast is dictated by oil and that weapons of mass destruction are used as an excuse to impose American will on those that disobey American oil interests. It argues that a continuation of such a policy will only result in making the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the MiddleEast a reality and that countries that cannot counter the immediate and direct threat that America imposes on its regimes if they do not offer a pro-American oil policy have no choice but to develop weapons of mass destruction.
From the Paper "A major argument for the United States going to war was that Iraq not only had the capabilities to build weapons of mass destruction, but that the program was well under way and that Iraq had connection to terrorist organizations that were capable of utilizing those weapons on American soil. This was a lie and this has been proven to be a lie. No weapons of mass destruction were found and there were no ties between the Iraqi Regime and Al Qaeda. But before we discuss the current war lets go back a few years and take a look at America's decisions or perhaps a lack of decisions to show that the current conflict in Iraq was not because of security risks inherent to the area, but because of American imperialist tendencies. "
Abstract This paper discusses and compares the use of oil revenues in various oil-rich Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabai. The paper studies how the various countries fund -- or chose not to fund -- social welfare programs. The paper examines how the use of oil revenues impact issues of state ownership over social welfare programs, as well as political and religious tensions.
Tags:oil, rentier states, OPEC, MiddleEast, social welfare
Abstract This well-researched paper examines the oil industry, which currently produces and supplies the world's number one energy source. This paper delves into the high swings in terms of price when there are shortages or excesses in supply, which are determined by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This paper details the 7 companies that control the oil market throughout the world which include 5 U.S. companies. This paper analyzes the importance of OPEC and its negotiation tactics with the various oil companies regarding petroleum production, prices and future rights of concession of the oil companies in the different countries. The writer of this paper details the history of the oil industry by discussing various events such as the 1973 oil embargo and the events that took place in the 1960s in which the U.S. and Europe restricted the import of oil from Russia. This paper details how world events, primarily those in the middleeast, affect the price of oil. The writer explores China and India's demand for oil and how it affects global inflation in general. The government of India is now trying to reduce the prices of oil based items over the immediate future so that inflation can be reduced from the current 8% a year. This in-depth paper also analyzes the effects of America's economy on the world's oil prices.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
International Oil Regime
Major Producers
OPEC
Wars and Inflation
Oil Embargo
1973 October War
Inflation
Economic Growth
Asian Giants: India and China
Increased Demand for Oil by Both Nations
Increased Prices Equal Less Economic Growth
Stagflation
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "It is seen that China is one of the fastest growing nations in economic terms and that has taken up the consumption of oil by the country from 2 million tons a year to over 10 million tons now. Even in last year, the growth is over 35 percent and according to analysis of ban credits, it is estimated that Chin will account for over 40 percent of the growth in oil demand. There is also a large increase in demand for oil in United States and this is boosting oil demand internationally. The demand for imports has now reached the limit of supply at about 80 million barrels a day, as already mentioned earlier. At the same time, there are doubts as to whether the massive imports by China are real annual demand or are for building up strategic stocks. According to JP Morgan, the stocks with china are now about 285 million barrels, and even as per statements from China, there is a stockpile being built which will be completed by the end of this year."
