Origin of Historical Conflict
The Middle East has endured turmoil for decades and continues to suffer to date. This region has witnessed wars, and sociopolitical instability—all stemming from foreign interventions, sectarian division, and conflicting interests of regional and international players.
The seeds of contention were first sown after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Thereafter, the borders of this region were arbitrarily drawn and amended by the colonial powers.
The Cold War turned the Middle East into a battleground for the United States and the Soviet Union. The destruction, both human and material, caused by these conflicts remains unfathomable, the war-torn countries were reduced to ruins.
Another substantial factor for the instability in the Middle East is the lingering feud between the Arabs and Israelis. The key conflicts include;
- 1948 War of Independence,
- 1956 Suez Crisis
- 1967 Six-Day War
- 1973 Yom Kippur War
- 1982 and 2006 Lebanon Wars
- Conflicts with Palestinian Intifadas (1987-1993, 2000-2005)
- Gaza Wars (2008-2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2023-2024)
These conflicts cemented Israel’s hegemony in the region and exacerbated tensions.
Nuclear Accusations and Escalation
The 1979 Iranian Revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, overthrew the pro-Western monarchy of Shah Reza Pahlavi. This seismic shift transformed Iran from a US ally to a hostile, theocratic republic, fundamentally altering its foreign policy. Relations with Israel and Western powers—particularly the United States—deteriorated sharply, marking the beginning of decades of hostility and mutual distrust.
- In June 2025, Israel launched drone and missile strikes on Iran, claiming it had reached uranium enrichment levels suitable for nuclear weapons. The attacks killed senior Iranian officials and civilians while damaging military sites.
This time, Iran broke away from its proxy warfare strategy and directly launched missile and drone strikes from its territory at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. This unprecedented escalation marked a dangerous shift toward open conflict, raising fears of a full-scale regional war.
Who is the Aggressor?
The Middle East has endured decades of unrelenting crisis. This raises the crucial question: Who bears responsibility for transforming the Middle East into a theatre of cruelty—where sovereignty is a façade and violence serves as the dominant currency?
Israel justifies its aggressive actions as self-defence against what it calls the “Iranian-led axis of resistance.” In its latest attacks, Israel accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons—echoing the infamous pretext of “weapons of mass destruction” used against Iraq.
The facts, however, tell a different story;
- Iran remains a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which permits civilian nuclear energy but prohibits weapons development.
- The IAEA has confirmed Iran is not currently producing nuclear weapons.
- While Iran has achieved 60% uranium enrichment (short of weapons-grade 90%), this capability remains monitored under international safeguards.
The glaring double standards emerge when we examine Israel’s position. Who, interestingly, despite having nuclear weapons never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Additionally;
- Maintains an undeclared nuclear arsenal.
- Has never signed the NPT, avoiding all international oversight.
- Faces no consequences for its genocidal campaign in Gaza or repeated attacks on sovereign states.
This debate remains unresolved, and answers are unclear.
Where is the Middle East Headed?
Israel’s Military Dominance and Biopolitical Control
Israel has undoubtedly become a dominant military and political force in the Middle East. The support offered by the US has cemented its strategic and technological superiority in the region. Israel has already annexed significant territory over the course of wars and conflicts from 1948 to 2024. Some factions advocate for a Greater Israel, a vision backed by theological underpinnings.
The Mechanics of Occupation: From Territory to Life
The expansionist ambitions have compelled Israel to assert Biopolitical Power in the Middle East. Whereby, control is not only exerted over territory, but also on life—through checkpoints, blockades, surveillance, and persecution. Resultantly, the Palestinians are stripped of political agency. They are reduced to, what political philosopher Giorgio Agamben, calls Bare Life—a population governable without rights.
The normalization of Israel’s inhumane actions has turned Palestine into a space where, international laws have been suspended, and war crimes have become the norm to justify the military occupation, illegal settlements, and persecution of Gazans.
International Complicity and the Failure of Justice
The systemic dehumanization and carnage raise serious concerns about ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the West continues to turn a deaf ear to the cries of the innocent masses in Gaza. The protests of the international community—at the highest possible forums i.e., the UN and International Court of Justice—remain futile.
Middle East at a Crossroads
The Middle East stands at a crossroads. Israel’s dominance in the region continues to grow, raising serious concerns of hegemonic power entailing the achievement of expansionist designs. Resistance, led predominantly by Iran and its proxies, continues to challenge Israel’s acts of aggression.
The key question is: Will the international community continue to abet Israel’s actions while clinging to hollow rhetoric about equality? This dynamic exposes the glaring hypocrisy of nations that posture as champions of justice, yet subsidize oppression.
Without meaningful intervention, the region is at the risk of descending deeper and deeper into a cycle of perpetual violence and repression.
All eyes are on the Middle East, as the fate of millions hangs in the balance.
