Political Crisis in the Middle East: Recent Analysis

The political crisis in the Middle East is a complex phenomenon involving various dimensions, including ethnicity, religion and geopolitics. In recent years, the region has witnessed dramatic changes driven by several key factors. First, the rise of the pro-democracy movement, which began to emerge in the 2010 Arab Spring, has fueled tensions. Some countries, such as Tunisia, have succeeded in overthrowing authoritarian regimes and introducing reforms. However, in other places, such as Syria, popular uprisings transformed into protracted civil wars, causing millions of refugees and regional instability. Second, foreign intervention played a significant role in this political crisis. Large countries such as the United States, Russia and Iran are actively involved in various conflicts. These interventions sometimes make the situation worse, especially when each country’s interests conflict. For example, Russia’s military presence in Syria provided vital support to Bashar al-Assad, prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the people’s suffering. Third, ethnic and sectarian conflicts further complicate the situation. The Sunni-Shia dispute, which has been going on for centuries, is most visible in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. These divisions not only fuel violence, but also encourage non-state actors such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda to exploit the weaknesses of local communities. Additionally, the conflict in Yemen, often considered a “proxy war,” shows how regional rivalries can lead to a severe humanitarian crisis. Fourth, the impact of climate change cannot be ignored. Environmental degradation, declining water resources, and food insecurity contribute to social and political tensions. The worst affected areas are Iraq and Syria, where drought and poor resource management have exacerbated popular dissatisfaction with the government. Furthermore, the political crisis in the Middle East has the potential to change the global geopolitical landscape. Western countries, especially the US, must face a dilemma in responding to this chaos. While diplomatic efforts often hit a dead end, challenges arise from growing terrorism and refugee flows that trouble Europe and neighboring countries. In this context, international organizations, such as the UN, have an important role in promoting dialogue and finding peaceful solutions. However, their limitations are often due to the politicization of the agenda, subservience to the interests of powerful states, which hinders conflict resolution efforts. The political crisis in the Middle East also affected relations between member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Problems between fellow Islamic countries create gaps in collaboration, which should be the basis of solidarity to resolve larger issues. In addition, social media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and mass mobilization. These platforms give a voice to the younger generation, who are very active in expressing their aspirations for freedom and justice. However, propaganda and disinformation also spread, often exacerbating sectarian and national tensions. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the future of politics in the Middle East remains bleak. Long-term stability and peace will depend largely on collective efforts from within and outside the region to address fundamental challenges that have been entrenched for years. Without significant reform and constructive dialogue, this crisis will likely continue, burdening future generations.