The Other View: Reconsidering the Middle East

Many people wonder why Israel and the Arab world have not reached an agreement to end the historical conflict between them. Neither side has yet to find a solution that meets its needs. It also seems that none of the leaders in the region over time, wanted to take responsibility for any kind of compromise reached.

The Middle East, and the world in general, is affected by the Arab-Israeli conflict as it has international repercussions. There is an old theory that says that Israel's establishment was accepted by the West only to "keep an eye" on the Arab world and the region.

However, the changes in the international community and the rise of new powers such as Iran, completely changed the political map of the Middle East. And the current situation forces the US and the EU to reconsider their relations with the Muslim world.

US President Barack Obama speaks at Cairo
University in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, June 4, 2009.
President Obama delivered the speech that he's
been promising since last year's election campaign
- aiming to set a new tone in America's often
strained dealings with the world's 1.5 billion Muslims.
PHOTO: AP

US President Barack Obama understands that in order to get the United States out of one of its worse situations yet, he must portray a new image of American foreign policy towards the Middle East. Although president Obama knows that not much can be changed due to the strong US-Israel alliance,  he wanted to convince the Arab world that it was possible to have relations built on an exchange of interests and respect. The Arab thirst for an American president who gives them hope and shows them respect ensured a warm welcome to Obama's Cairo speech. Yet still, nothing has changed.

Israel, for its part, is trying to play it smart by not delivering an outright 'no' to Obama. And while it is has been preferable for Israel to 'manage' the conflict instead of ending it while still trying to look like it wants peace, the current Israeli government headed by Netanyahu cannot abide by that modus operandi since its very existence is ensured by a promise to right-wing parties to never accept the idea of a Palestinian state.

This June 15, 2009 file photo shows supporters
of leading opposition presidential candidate Mir
Hossein Mousavi protesting the result of the
election at a mass rally in Azadi (Freedom) square
in Tehran, Iran. PHOTO: AP

Some have said that despite the lack of progress with regards to halting Israel's settlement expansion in the West Bank, there is still reason to be optimistic. The Arab world also believes it has a card to play: the need for its support with regards to Iran.

And as the US, Israel and other countries have been pushing for more pressure on Iran with regards to its nuclear program, the recent outbreak of violence following the presidential elections many claim were rigged, has the world watching closely for new developments in the Islamic republic and how events there could yet again change the political map of the Middle East.