1.1 Introduction
The Arab-Israeli conflict refers to the prolonged political and military tensions between the State of Israel and various Arab nations, particularly concerning territorial disputes, national identity, and the recognition of sovereignty. Rooted in the early 20th century with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and further intensified by the Balfour Declaration of 1917, the conflict evolved into a central issue in Middle Eastern geopolitics following the establishment of Israel in 1948. The struggle has led to multiple wars, intifadas, and decades of diplomatic breakdowns, primarily revolving around the status of Palestine, the legitimacy of Israel, and the fate of Palestinian refugees (Gelvin, 2020).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Arab-Israeli conflict stands as one of the most protracted and deeply rooted disputes in modern international relations. Emerging in the early 20th century, it began with the clash between Jewish and Arab nationalist movements in Palestine and became an international issue with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. According to Gelvin (2020), the roots of the conflict are embedded in colonial legacies, competing nationalist ideologies, and unresolved historical grievances. Several wars notably in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 along with numerous uprisings and peace attempts, have failed to permanently resolve the tensions, especially those involving the Palestinian people's demand for statehood and the status of Jerusalem.
Over the decades, the conflict has drawn the involvement of global powers, particularly the United States. The U.S. became heavily invested in Middle Eastern affairs during the Cold War, using its influence to secure strategic alliances, access vital energy resources, and counter Soviet expansion. Mearsheimer and Walt (2007) asserted that U.S. support for Israel is driven not only by shared democratic values but also by the influence of domestic lobbying and strategic military considerations. The United States has consistently provided Israel with substantial military aid, diplomatic backing in international forums, and political cover in conflict situations, leading many Arab states to question America's neutrality as a peace broker.
Quandt (2005) reported that successive U.S. administrations have attempted to balance support for Israel with efforts to engage Arab states and promote peace initiatives. However, the credibility of these efforts has often been undermined by inconsistencies in policy and a failure to address core issues such as the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the status of Israeli settlements. Meanwhile, the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East characterized by the Arab Spring, Iranian influence, the rise of extremist groups, and the shifting alliances under the Abraham Accords has further complicated America's role in the region.
Economically, the Middle East holds critical importance for the United States due to its vast petroleum reserves. As Khalidi (2020) contended, U.S. interests in regional energy security and market access have historically influenced its foreign policy decisions in ways that often prioritize stability and access over justice and democratic development. Additionally, the arms trade between the U.S. and both Israel and Arab Gulf states reinforces the conflict's militarization and reflects America's dual strategic commitment to different, often conflicting, regional actors. Hudson (2010) affirmed that America's continued entanglement in the Arab-Israeli conflict is shaped by a blend of ideological, economic, and security imperatives, which makes a neutral and sustainable approach increasingly difficult. On the other hand, the U.S. remains a critical actor capable of shaping future peace outcomes if it reevaluates its policies and seeks more balanced engagement. This study is set against the backdrop of these enduring tensions and strategic interests, aiming to explore how the Arab-Israeli conflict intersects with U.S. geo-strategic and economic priorities in the Middle East.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the Arab-Israeli conflict remains one of the most enduring and complex confrontations in international politics, shaped by decades of territorial disputes, religious divisions, and political hostilities. The persistent instability it generates is affecting not only regional peace and development but also the broader global power dynamics, especially the strategic interests of the United States in the Middle East. The U.S. has historically positioned itself as a dominant actor in the region, aligning with Israel for strategic security reasons while simultaneously attempting to maintain diplomatic and economic ties with Arab nations.
On the other hand, the U.S. is leveraging the conflict to justify its military presence, intelligence operations, and economic engagements in the region. Access to oil markets, arms trade, and containment of rival global powers like Russia and China are vital drivers of its policy stance. However, these objectives are frequently at odds with the goal of a sustainable and equitable resolution to the Arab-Israeli dispute, leading to contradictions in American diplomacy. Such contradictions are diminishing the prospects for meaningful peace and contributing to cycles of violence, and displacement.
The ongoing conflict is also causing a reevaluation of America's long-term policy consistency and ethical commitment to international law and human rights. The lack of significant progress toward a two-state solution and the increasing normalization of relations between Israel and select Arab nations without resolving the Palestinian question are raising questions about the true nature of U.S. interests and their alignment with peacebuilding efforts in the region (Khalidi, 2020).
Furthermore, the conflict is influencing the flow of oil, the proliferation of military alliances, and the shaping of U.S. foreign policy decisions, particularly those linked to counterterrorism, arms sales, and regional energy security. America's perceived bias or unwavering support for Israel is intensifying anti-American sentiments in the Arab world, making cooperation with key Arab states increasingly difficult and undermining the credibility of U.S.-led peace initiatives (Mearsheimer & Walt, 2007). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the Arab-Israeli conflict in the context of U.S. geo-strategic and economic interests in the Middle East.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to analyze how the Arab-Israeli conflict aligns with and impacts the geo-strategic and economic interests of the United States in the Middle East. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the historical relationship between the U.S. and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
- To identify the strategic military interests of the United States in the Middle East.
- To investigate the economic interests of the United States, particularly in relation to oil and arms trade.
- To evaluate the extent to which U.S. involvement influences the peace process and regional diplomacy.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the historical background of U.S. involvement in the Arab-Israeli conflict?
- What are the strategic military interests of the United States in the Middle East?
- What economic interests drive U.S. policies in the region?
- How does U.S. engagement in the conflict affect regional peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts?
1.6 Significance of Study
The outcome from the findings of this research will hold significant relevance in the following ways.
- The study will assist policymakers in formulating more balanced and informed U.S. foreign policies that support lasting peace in the region.
- It will provide academic researchers with a valuable reference for exploring international relations and conflict resolution theories.
- The research will help Middle Eastern governments understand how external interventions impact their national and regional strategies.
- The study will guide civil society organizations and peace advocates in designing advocacy programs rooted in geopolitical realities.
- The study will inform energy and economic analysts about the link between conflict and economic disruptions, especially in global oil markets.
1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study
The scope of this study includes an in-depth analysis of the Arab-Israeli conflict in relation to United State (U.S.) foreign policy, economic interests, and military strategy in the Middle East. The study will also incorporate perspectives from experts and institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria, particularly those specializing in international diplomacy and strategic studies.
However, the study was limited by restricted access to classified diplomatic records, the complexity of ever-changing regional alliances, and time constraints in gathering first-hand responses from United State policy experts and Middle Eastern stakeholders.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Arab-Israeli Conflict:
This is a long-standing political and military conflict between the State of Israel and various Arab countries, especially involving the status of Palestine. According to Gelvin (2020), it represents a complex intersection of nationalist movements, territorial claims, and foreign interventions.
Geo-Strategic Interests:
Strategic interests related to geography, military advantage, and political influence in a region. Mearsheimer and Walt (2007) defined this as a nation's efforts to position itself to gain influence over critical geopolitical territories.
Economic Interests:
It is the pursuit of resources, markets, and financial gains by a country. In this context, it refers to U.S. interests in Middle Eastern oil, arms trade, and commercial partnerships (Khalidi, 2020).
Middle East:
This is a geopolitical region encompassing Western Asia and parts of North Africa, often at the center of global political, economic, and religious conflicts. Quandt (2005) stated that it remains one of the most strategically important yet volatile regions in the world.
Foreign Policy:
This is a government's strategy in dealing with other nations. Hudson (2010) explained that foreign policy reflects national interests, security concerns, and international relations goals.
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