Crisis in the Middle East

FOR years now, the trouble-prone Middle East has witnessed a triangular conflict between Israel, Iran and the Arab states of the Gulf -- principally Saudi Arabia and the UAE with the US, China and Russia lending their support to the rival sides depending upon the geopolitical developments at a given point of time.

- DC PATHAK

The Gulf states are the traditional allies of the US, while Iran has steadily shifted to the China-Russia camp. Israel continues to receive unconditional backing from the US, and the Trump Presidency has even tried to bring about an understanding of Israel with the UAE through the so-called Abraham Accords - leaving the scope for Saudi Arabia also signing in later. At present, however, confrontation between Israel and Iran is at its peak, and because of the total support of the Trump administration for Israel and behind-the-scenes involvement of the China-Russia axis in favour of Iran, the escalating tension in the Middle East would have the potential for causing a global level conflict.

Following the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 2023, Israel launched a war in Gaza in which more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed so far. The humanitarian crisis created in Gaza has drawn attention of the entire world and compelled Israel to develop a plan of distributing aid to civilians through hubs controlled by it. Confident of an unflinching support from President Trump, Israel has refused to accept the idea of a ceasefire. Meanwhile, a radicalised Hamas has been embraced by Iran, which has added to the strength of the Islamic Republic against Israel. President Trump has resolved to find a way out of the Middle East crisis and made his first foreign visit of the second term to this region in May.

Following a surprise meeting with the non-radical new Syrian President, Ahmad Al Sharra, Trump lifted economic sanctions on Syria, and this led to celebrations across that country. In other bold steps, Trump initiated the signing of a ceasefire with the Houthis of Yemen and moved for holding direct talks with Iranthese were welcomed by Arab states but opposed by Israel.