The Middle East Region in the Global Union (1988-1991). In reality, the United States
Context has lost a historic opportunity to lead the world
or at least to improve world peace and stability.
THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN RUSSIA Instead, American leaders have imposed their
and the West has had profound consequences dictates on many countries through invasions,
for the economy and politics of Middle Eastern sanctions and the use of the “soft war” (Motaghi
countries, including the impacts of the war & Mahboobeh, 2012). Subsequently, the US
on their food security, energy prices and invasion of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003),
labor markets, especially for countries that the so-called Arab Spring (2010), international
experienced the so-called “Arab Spring”. polarization, and the struggles of influence
After the 1990s, we witnessed an among world powers towards the Middle East
unprecedented victory for capitalism, have gravely disturbed global stability, peace,
particularly with the West dismantling the Soviet and prosperity (Gürcan, 2019bGürcan (2019c). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation., 2020Gürcan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation., 2022).
Indeed, geopolitically, the region’s potential began during the 1990s with the emergence
of at least 650 million consumers, energy of new growth centers and the formation of
wealth that amounts to 66% of proven a multipolar global economic system as the
global oil reserves, and strategic position as weight of players in emerging markets increased
a transit corridor between the East (and its (Abdullah, 2019Abdullah (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). In this process, however,
ascending path: China, India, and Russia) oil and gas have remained two strategic
and the West, and between the North and the commodities despite all efforts to develop a
South, shows the importance of the current stronger potential for renewable energy (The
realignments in the status of the countries of World Economic Forum, 2017).
the region (with their different geostrategic Since the late 1980s, the US has sought to
and geoeconomic weights). China, Russia, impose a new global pattern as the sole global
India, Pakistan, Türkiye, Iran, Arab countries, pole by direct military interventions or later
African countries, and Europe itself can secure by promoting the different components of soft
real independence only by way of creating a power, such as using sanctions and the media.
geopolitical Eurasian alliance (Abbas, 2022Abbas (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.), In the meantime, the BRICS, as the first non-
a multipolar alliance (Dugin, 2020Dugin (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.), or “post- regional alliance not based on a single culture,
hegemonic multipolarity” (Gürcan, 2020Gürcan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). In has strongly reasserted its demand for a “fair
reality, a better understanding of the potential international order”. With this understanding,
for better alliances and improved cooperation it has established an investment bank and
requires identifying the dynamic developments continues to strive to get out of the hegemony
that took place after the triumph of capitalism of the dollar (Gürcan, 2019aGürcan (2019c). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation., 2019bGürcan (2019c). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation., 2022).
in its American form since the 1990s (The week In this environment, emerging countries
UK, 2023). are increasingly favoring international trade
based on national currencies and preferential exchanges (such as supplying fuel to China and
Emerging countries are India at a reduced price) in their international
increasingly favoring trade relations.
These global developments aside, the Middle international trade based East has remained a highly volatile region.
on national currencies and Since 2010, the collapse of the peace process
preferential exchanges in their in the Middle East with Israeli intransigence in
international trade relations. compliance with United Nations resolutions,
the escalation of instability in the region and
In examining the increasing weight of its multiple challenges, including the collapse
new economic poles and emerging countries of the concept of collective security, especially
globally, one could easily notice that a power with the so-called Arab Spring have revealed the
shift has occurred from the West to the East fragility of the status quo (Sun & Zhang, 2022Sun & Zhang (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).
and from the North to the South. This process Moreover, the course of the war in Ukraine
MENA (Middle East-North Africa) and the Five Seas. (BRIQ , 2023BRIQ (2023). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
showed the fragility of the global energy system whose prerequisite is respect for international
and the failure of Western policies in relying law within the framework of the legitimacy
on alternative sources. It led to Russia and the of the United Nations to ensure stability and
OPEC countries returning to the forefront, prevent the resurgence of extremism, facilitate
resulting in new positions and alliances. the return of displaced persons, and encourage
Taking account of the challenges mentioned reconstruction and peace efforts throughout
above, this article seeks to answer the the region. Syria, which had previously
following question: how can major Eurasian promoted the “Five Seas approach” with
powers such as Iran, Syria, Türkiye, and Russia Türkiye as a driving force, as well as the other
build a long-term collaboration that could countries of the Levant (Lebanon, Jordan with
also engage the Gulf countries? Effective and Iraq), the Arab countries of the Gulf and North
long-term collaboration requires not only the Africa, have the opportunity to take advantage
leading role of major Eurasian powers but of the change in the global context of world
also a due appreciation of the importance politics and will assume a key role with Russia,
of strategic commodities other than energy China, India and other emerging countries
products and a stronger awareness of the in the multipolarization of world politics to
common challenges these powers share. bring into use the advantage of the region’s
This calls for a new economic model based geographical position at the hub of energy
on state-led investments, production, and supply, infrastructure investment, transport
employment in the space of the “Five Seas”, and international trade.
The Middle East at the Crossroads and regional benefits. Moreover, the evolution of
economic governance, external pressures, or the
The Middle East seeks a peaceful path, economically use of sanctions testify to an increasingly aggressive
and politically, to overcome instability, despite the use of the economy in interstate relations, showing
specificities of each country and its place in the the intrinsic fragility of the rentier model and the
world. The region is currently undergoing structural impasse in the mobilization of wealth to ensure
changes. The regional order is in transition amidst a conservative economy. From a macroeconomic
weakening governance in certain countries and point of view, despite the recent rise in hydrocarbon
growing power rivalries against the backdrop of prices which has benefited the Gulf countries (Fitch
American withdrawal despite the continuation of Solutions, 2022), it could be argued that the human
Western interventionism through a combination of and economic security of the Middle Eastern and
different methods of soft power (sanctions, pressure, North African countries has deteriorated. A possible
and media manipulation of public opinion). risk of protests in North Africa and the Levant
This new race for regional hegemony led by the cannot be excluded due to the galloping prices of
Americans or its proxies calls into question the many strategic and supplied goods (produced by
traditional hierarchy of power and the internal path these states or imported), increasing the risks to
of economic development, which is based, above all, macroeconomic stability in the MENA region (IMF,
on the internal capacity of each country in the region. 2022).
Indeed, all countries in the Middle East suffer from a failure to reform and open up their economies
Many Middle Eastern states persist and mobilize all potential internal forces, including
the private sector, as well as demographic pressures in their political and ideological and acute problems in coping with an explosion of
biases when conducting their youth. Social tensions can become highly disruptive
foreign policy without considering mass protests in parts of the Middle East. Admittedly,
their national interests and a distinction must be made between countries
regional benefits. at high risk of social unrest, whose economic
situation is difficult and exacerbated by conflict,
The economy, which guarantees sociopolitical countries at moderate risk of social unrest, which
stability through the generalized effects of oil, gas may again experience social grievances motivated
and other raw material and rents or indirect rents by poor socioeconomic conditions, including high
(for example, tourism, transit and remittances from unemployment and inflation, and finally, moderate
workers abroad), has become a prominent political risk countries that are well equipped financially
means in the relations between regional countries to mitigate socioeconomic pressures (Economist
and its external “relations” with the international Intelligence Uni, 2022; World Bank, 2022). The overall
powers. macroeconomic indicators are uncertain because
Many Middle Eastern states persist in their political they depend on direct oil and other energy sources
and ideological biases when conducting their foreign and rents, given rising inflation and unemployment,
policy without considering their national interests diminishing capitalistic assets, raised financial
Protests flared up in Lebanon due to the economic crisis. (CGTN, 2020CGTN (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
sector vulnerabilities, and patchy implementation of regional welfare, as it fuels economic rivalries
corrective policy actions. Instead of seeking a self- and a climate of instability at the expense of
reliant development model and regional cooperation international cooperation. Unlike economic
with mutual benefits, some of these countries tend to liberalism in the form of acute capitalism
align with the “collective western approach”, which or rentier conservatism, a model of internal
only perpetuates regional problems, failing to face up development and regional integration (in terms
to common challenges (Cordesman, 2020Cordesman (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). of pan-state infrastructures, trade, investment,
transport, telecom networking, and tourism)
Beyond International and Regional remains the best way to achieve peace and a
Polarizations: Tensions between Powers as sustainable state of balance. Scholars studying
an Obstacle to the Economy the Middle East often underestimate the scope
of economic determinants in the emergence and
On behalf of their interests, Western states management of these same crises (Schmid &
put diverse economic strategies into practice Benbernou, 2020). The political economy of the
by pursuing an exclusionary economic Middle East is more interesting as an element of
development discourse. However, this leads understanding the evolutions and the relations
to regional tensions rather than improves between states.
The fragility of economies linked to commodity European powers. For the past three decades, the
prices, sensitive to geopolitical shocks, and collective West saw the region as an arena and
dependent on the choices of industrialized dividing line to prevent the success of multipolarity.
economies has shattered the enchanted dream of Indeed, American leaders and many European
paid idleness. Financial and social difficulties are leaders, who see themselves as representing the
accumulating, causing major instability, both for “international community”, constantly declare the
the rentier states and those who have benefited importance of confronting the continuous rise
directly or indirectly from their generosity. One of emerging poles in the face of global initiatives
thing leading to another, most of the major such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),
geopolitical developments that have recently Russia’s efforts at developing the BRICS group,
upset the region, from the contagion of the “Arab and breaking out of dollar hegemony, via India
Spring” to the inevitable rise in tensions between and other emerging countries.
the great powers, can be analyzed through the Today, the countries in the region with the
prism of the economy. largest land and maritime surfaces and those
If the “obsession with power” that accompanies endowed with hydrocarbon resources retain
the birth of the modern international system a decisive advantage; their territories must
is crystallizing today in a spectacular way in also be the subject of strategic investments
the Middle East, it is in particular because the (in infrastructure, transport, and economic
rivalry of external actors opens up the field of development) to enhance this possible positioning
competition. The policy of Western hegemony advantage. The development of infrastructure,
has continued to contribute to modulating the particularly ports and airports, can be part of
national governance of the states of the Middle a rational strategy for a large regional hub, a
East according to the desires of this collective platform and route for airport transport, energy
West (even if it is not totally homogeneous). supply, telecommunications, and transit as a
Obviously, it has been done without diminishing crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
the opportunity for some regional states to Furthermore, the regional demographics are on
assume regional leadership, concerned about the cusp of a new age for economic development.
their corporate interests, through mobilizing If we look at growth models, two different models
enormous resources to serve an external objective roughly coexist in the region: that of truly rentier
to the detriment of the preservation of regional countries, exporters of energy, raw materials
economic and social order. Each tries to capture a like the Gulf countries, or dependent on rent
share of the regional influence market, increasing (transit, tourism and expatriate flows), and that
the antagonism between states. of countries whose economy is rather productive:
The Middle East, as a bridge, occupies a such as Iran, Türkiye, which is integrated into the
strategic place in the world, connecting India to global production chain, or Syria, before the war
the Mediterranean, stretching to the Red Sea, the orchestrated by a coalition of “collective west”,
Indian Ocean, and the Caspian Sea. This location which produced diversified goods. Between these
has always become a destination for colonial or two models, Jordan and Lebanon are importing
post-colonial rivalries between American and countries, dependent on aid and subsidies from
Chinese Ambassador to Jordan, Chen Chuandong, speaks in Amman on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Jordan. (Jordan Chinese Embassy, 2022Jordan Chinese Embassy (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
their neighbors and allies. But all depend on the many states of the region, perceived as aggressive
evolution of international markets, through the at the approach of this collective west.
price of crude and raw materials and the dollar The Middle East’s economic system has long
exchange rate, and have less and less control over been considered on the fringes of globalization.
these elements. This explains why these states The rise in importance of economic factors in the
have concluded free trade agreements with several competition of powers in the Middle East and
partners and the main financiers of the emerging using economic tools in the race for domination
world and have approached Russia via the OPEC+ does not automatically lead to a sustainable
cooperation or China and India. The subsequent economic development model. The thwarted
Western presence in Afghanistan and Iraq did economic power means that the local actors
not assist, and the inability to stabilize the area ultimately have little control over the regional
resulted in an unclear outcome. The struggle was economic system, the growth trajectories are
engendered by the process of polarization, which disrupted by internal and external factors, and
then took the shape of aroused ambitions. The the persistence of very high conflict thwarts
great powers measured the weight of their means economic logic. The economy finally appears
to influence the establishment of a new balance as a rather poor ally in the context of growing
or at least exercise sufficient deterrence vis-à-vis polarization.
The structure of rentier economies, which is and economically counterproductive.
poorly diversified, also leads to dependence Ultimately, US sanctions could also increase
on external products and know-how. the participation of Russia and China in
Worse still, the dependence on the price development, geopolitical reconfiguration and
of hydrocarbons is extreme. The revenues reconstruction projects in countries affected
garnered depend on the choices of the other by wars. We do not know how long it may
major producers, such as the United States take for a new configuration of equilibrium
and Russia, and the maintenance of demand to emerge because, amid internationalist
from the major customers, such as China one-upmanship, no hegemon or disciplining
or India. These games of interdependence power seems able to prevail. The United States
intersect with the question of alliances and has long assumed this responsibility on the
allegiances. The socioeconomic challenges, political and military level but now wishes to
entry into the digital age, and climate change multiply the pressures of all kinds, including
will inevitably force them to a radical change soft power. The intervention of an external
in economic functioning. The water resource, hegemon could never once be decisive. It
rare and coveted, is at the heart of increasingly remains ambiguous whether the decision-
significant geopolitical tensions, social makers of the Middle Eastern states will
inequality, delay in reforms and a conciliatory still be able to define the rules of a virtuous
reflex. economic game in the region or whether
China, Russia and other emerging countries will play this role in the future.
US sanctions could also increase The conviction is increasing among many
the participation of Russia and world countries that transformation and
prosperity are not exclusive to the Western China in development, geopolitical powers and cannot come through oil rents,
reconfiguration and reconstruction as there is a margin for adopting a self-
projects in countries affected by wars. propelled development model that considers
the structural transformations in the world economy. The powerful countries friendly to
Economic considerations like rapproche- Syria, specifically Russia, Iran and China, have
ment and regional cooperation can dictate prevented the hegemonic powers, mainly the
major political choices. Both the relations United States and its regional proxies, from
between Türkiye and Iran and the rest of the disintegrating Syria's geostrategic space and
states of the Arabian Peninsula or other count- territory. Characterized by its proximity to
ries of the Middle East region can lead to ex- Türkiye at the crossroads of three continents
haustion or support of economic cooperation (Europe, Africa and Asia), Syria, with Iraq
projects to face these multiple challenges in and Iran, seeks to regain its independence
societies. The effect of sanctions is difficult to as long as everyone acts on international
assess precisely, but the tool can be politically charters.
North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). (BRIQ , 2023)
Relations with China, Russia and Türkiye progress. That experience will be invaluable
in Syria. Syria’s participation in the BRI would
Syria is now shifting to the East, towards create a new corridor across the Middle East
China and Russia, although it remains a linking Iran to Syria via Iraq and benefit all
Mediterranean country with a key seaport regional states. Beijing and Moscow have
at Latakia. However, this does not mean that been able to build a bridge between Iran and
China, Russia, and regional players are all Iraq by developing cross-border rail with Iran
behaving according to a single, concerted at the border crossing point between the two
strategy (Dorsey, 2020Dorsey (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). While both may countries on the Basra/Shalamcheh corridor,
be driven in part by a common goal, which itself leads to the ports in the south
their strategies diverge in some respects. of Iran on the Arabian Gulf and connects
Despite their shared desire to promote to the International North-South Transport
multilateralism, their priority to pursue their Corridor (INSTC) (Silk Road Briefing,
own interests shapes their actions. 2020). This multimodal route feeds east to
China has actively participated in Iraq’s India’s west coast ports, north to the Caspian
economic reconstruction, with bilateral, Sea, and to Azerbaijan and Russia, with a
practical cooperation making steady northeast branch leading to Afghanistan.
China aspires to enlarge and strengthen has, in recent years, played the role of both
its presence in the Middle East because mediator and negotiator in the internal
of its strategic geographical importance, political process that the UN sponsors.
large economic market and wealth of The Russian facilitation, which Moscow is
natural resources that China needs. Sino- currently offering, aims to persuade Syria
Syrian relations are projected to grow in and Türkiye to engage in talks to arrive at a
the foreseeable future due to the strategic security settlement framework and ease any
political understanding between the two regional tensions. The questions in play are
countries and Syria’s active presence under enormous and are not limited to the region’s
the BRI, which enhances its geographical borders. The Russian military presence in
position in the Eastern Mediterranean Syria, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea,
(Zreik & Zhao, 2022Zreik & Zhao (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). is often mentioned, which is highly strategic
at the regional and global levels due to its geographical position. Nevertheless, it should not neglect the gas exploration Syria and Turkey are called upon projects in the eastern Mediterranean, or to play an increasing role in even make Türkiye a gas supply hub for
their zone, located in the heart Europe, which allows Russia to increase its
of the Middle East. scope of action on the regional gas markets
and also allows it to exert influence outside the former Soviet Republics. In addition to
What is now more certain than before intensified cooperation with OPEC, Russia
is that Russia’s presence in Syria is not a aims to grow commercial markets directly
mere strategic interest for Moscow but or through the BRICS mechanism. This
an existential necessity. Russia’s military represents a break in Russia’s isolation from
presence in western Syria should be the “international community”.
considered in two contexts. The first Syria and Türkiye are called upon to
is the context of the Syrian war and its play an increasing role in their zone,
regional dimensions, and the second is located in the heart of the Middle East,
Syria’s position overlooking the eastern which is in direct contact with the region’s
Mediterranean Sea. countries and other regions. The region is
Moscow attaches major importance to the then faced with a major transformation
Middle East, which cannot be ignored. The of its political order, creating an unstable
Kremlin has become increasingly involved security environment that will put
in the Arab region. Russia’s strategy is additional pressure on the major powers
long-term repositioning and defending its and each country in the region. Ultimately,
national security with NATO extending its this ongoing transformation represents
borders and the West’s disrespect for the an opportunity for many countries in the
Minsk Agreement. In Syria, the Kremlin region to concretize the concept of the
Growing ties between China and the Arab world unlock unlimited possibilities for cooperation. One of the largest industrial zones in Egypt was established by Sino-Egyptian cooperation.(CGTN, 2022CGTN (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
five seas and actively engage in the future. to push Russia into the quagmire of
Türkiye’s leveraging role is decisive. It new battlefields. After the failure of the
can cooperate with Russia and China in policy of reorganizing societies under a
the reconstruction projects of Syria and paternalistic attitude, it seems that the
Iraq and, more generally, make regional United States, as a global pole, can only
cooperation succeed. Syria’s attractiveness use sanctions or other components of soft
lies within its “Five Seas” capability, a plan to power. In this environment, Syria, Iran,
link the Caspian, Black Sea, Mediterranean Iraq, Lebanon, Russia, Türkiye, China, and
Sea and Red Sea with the Persian Gulf. others can rebuild the Middle East using
the New Silk Road and the Five Seas. The
A New Path for the Middle Eastern Countries New Silk Road lies at the heart of China’s
strategy for the decades to come. This will
The US administration is making efforts also usher in a new era for the Middle East
to reorganize Middle East politics. This region, which has always been coveted for
time it is no longer to supply itself with its strategic position and wealth, disputed
oil for its economy but to contain China between the Eurasian and maritime
and exhaust the Russian forces by trying empires.
For the rest of the world, China’s peaceful should consider the possibility of restoring
development can be seen positively if Syria’s relations with Saudi Arabia (Kane
the BRI and the BRICS grouping pursue & Gassem, 2018) and Türkiye in favor of
win-win cooperation. The New Silk Road a more prosperous Middle East that could
envisions a “green belt” in this region. It overcome its instability (Aytekin, 2022Aytekin (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).
seems that the Chinese dream is already Ironically, the Biden-led US is giving
underway. The five countries constituting up its role as the world leader and the
the core of the Middle East (Iran, Türkiye, champion of free trade and environmental
Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon) are also interested protection while China has taken over
in being part of the BRI. Particularly, the this role. Prolonged by relentlessness, the
BRI can help the rebuilding efforts for Syrian tragedy has dispelled the West’s
Syria’s devastated economy on a new basis, pretenses and exposed its most devious
shielding it from external threats. The strategies. But the worst of all has been to
BRI will provide Syria with a more stable whitewash terrorism on the part of Western
environment, with South-West Asia being states. The exclamation point is: How can
structured around two corridors (with we resist nausea in front of these politicians
major roles in particular for Iran, Iraq, who, with each attack on European soil, are
Syria, and Lebanon), whether it is the road poured out in indignant condemnations of
and rail corridor (going from Urumqi as terrorist violence they have fed and praised
the largest city in western China to coastal elsewhere? The war on Syria has been a
towns in the Middle East) or sea routes large-scale international conflict in which a
leading to the Mediterranean via Suez. rival coalition has formed. The distinctions
between “rebels”, “democrats”, “moderates”, “seculars”, “Islamists”, or “jihadists” are but
Despite its challenges and superficial divides promoted by Western
uncertainties, the Middle East powers and their allies. By now, everyone
can provide world politics with understands that the reality of the Syrian
conflict, for the past ten years, has been the great opportunities and insightful struggle between state-sponsored terrorist perspectives. conglomerates and a national army that defends its country against foreign invasion
Syria, despite of its economic weaknesses (Guigue, 2020Guigue (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.; Gürcan, 2019cGürcan (2019c). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). But it has
and the US's hostility, through its alliance also spread its miasma to the four corners
with Russia and Iran, has been able to of the globe, returning like a boomerang.
revive its political influence in recent Despite its challenges and uncertainties,
years. Syria faces an uphill struggle for its the Middle East can provide world politics
economic strategy, but as Iraq’s substantial with great opportunities and insightful
energy resources come into play, this will perspectives. At the same time, there are
enhance its vision (Raimbaud, 2017Raimbaud (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). One very positive developments led by China
and the BRICS countries. It is very difficult led to more fragmentation and the absence
to envisage the course of the current of collective security for the countries of the
tensions. One thing is sure, though: shared region. It is important here to emphasize
development is the only way to bring that it would not be kept captive to the
peace to the Middle East, and a lasting old methods of analysis and the mentality
solution can only be reached through the of American hegemony or the collective
concept of Peace Through Development west in general (Barnes & Lovatt, 2022Barnes & Lovatt (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.),
. In these wasted decades before and after especially since many countries, as a result
the “Arab spring” and multiple tensions of the experiences gained, have begun to
and wars, the Collective Western behavior emerge from this “cloak” in light of the
towards several regions has been botched emerging global changes (Culbreath, 2023Culbreath (2023). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).
to ensure regional security and peace. Syria does not think of revenge, nor is it
If the West desires a more peaceful and driven by emotions and passions. On the
democratic Middle East, it should develop contrary, instability benefits the external
friendly relations with the people and their forces interfering in the region’s affairs for
legitimate representatives so that the West their own interests. Thereby, it is certain
can well join the reconstruction efforts that solving the current regional slump and
in the region and the promotion of world finding peace (which requires many painful
peace. concessions) will guarantee the collective
security and interests of the peoples of the
The Needed Perspectives regional countries. The cost of peace and
common challenges remains lower than
The ideological struggle for control is not that of continuing conflicts with human
productive for any of the countries in the losses and more internal problems at each
region. Furthermore, historical lessons country’s level.
since the Sykes-Picot Agreement show that
reliance on major powers or contradictions Conclusion
of interests among them only achieves
temporary “gains”, especially when the For the rest of the world, including Middle
cultural diversity that characterizes these East countries, China’s peaceful development
countries is a tool of intervention that can can be seen in a positive light as long as the
be exploited for further division, rather BRI and the BRICS pursue win-win coope-
than being a source of wealth, and an ration. Moreover, the “bone-breaking” battle
impetus for their constructive cooperation. between the Russian Federation, which de-
Besides human losses or wounds, spending fends its national security, and NATO, which
billions in absurd wars, which continued to is fueling the conflict, proves once again the
play some countries by proxy on behalf of importance of achieving world peace based
the “collective West” since the beginning of on legitimacy rather than imposing Western
what was called the Arab Spring, has only hegemony by various means (Chris, 2010Chris (2010). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).
The war in Ukraine is a blow to relations Notes
between Russia and the West, and this situation
will likely persist in the long term. However, its 1 Many Western thinkers agree on the growing
impacts on Middle East countries vary depen- concern about the strengthening of the alliance
ding on their natural wealth, including hydro- between the rising poles competing with the Uni-
carbons, their capacity to produce or import ted States, as the former US secretary of state and
goods, in particular food and raw materials, national security adviser Henry Kissinger said:
and their development trajectory. “‘We are now living in a totally new era”, transc-
Syria, a close ally of Russia, like Türkiye or other ript of a discussion between Henry Kissinger and
countries in the Middle East, is more than ever Edward Luce, which took place on May 7 in Was-
concerned about the evolution of the positions hington Financial Times US national editor, May
of the various world poles and the repositioning 9, 2022.
of international and regional powers in the 2 Without adopting all the views presented, it
whole region. Indeed, each regional country is possible to refer to the analysis of a number of
could assume a stabilizing role. A cessation writers affiliated with the Carnegie organization:
of ongoing extremism and violence, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:
eventual political reconciliation, including the What the Russian War in Ukraine Means for the
reintegration of vital state institutions, would Middle East. MARCH 24, 2022. Retried from ht-
improve the operational environment for tps://carnegieendowment.org/2022/03/24/what-
facilitating the reconstruction of the economy russian-war-in-ukraine-means-for-middle-east-
of regional states and the rebuilding of social pub-86711.
cohesion. This means that regional countries 3 As Mao Tse-Tung argues: "Therefore, to over-
could shift their alliances and move from the take the United States is not only possible, but ab-
current state of engagement into a forthcoming solutely necessary and obligatory. If we don't, the
state of partnership and cooperation. Building Chinese nation will be letting the nations of the
an economic model based on maximizing the world down and we will not be making much of a
gains of constructive cooperation and shared contribution to mankind” (Marxist, 2004Marxist (2004). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).
benefits in the space of five seas requires the ⁴ Effectively, shared development is the only
utmost importance to guarantee stability, way to bring peace to the Middle East, and a las-
reconstruction and peace throughout the ting solution can only be reached through the
region. The question for western states is concept of “Peace Th rough Development”, as the
whether their antagonistic approach toward German political activist Helga Zepp-LaRouc-
the region will achieve any long-term gains. he stresses: HARTMANN Alexander, The Peace
After decades of instability, it is time to adopt Dividend of the New Silk Road: Global Recons-
full engagement by all concerned parties on truction of the Physical Economy. Executive In-
an equal footing, which seems to be the best telligence Review, 13 November 2015. Retrieved
way to avoid wasting another decade to the from https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/2015/
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