Great-Power Competition and Conflict in the Middle East

Abstract

For centuries, the Middle East has served as a theater of competition between the worlds great powers. Today's most prominent competitors the United States, China, and Russia also view the Middle East as a critical region of the world where they can cultivate access and influence. Although the United States competition with China is most evident in the Indo-Pacific and its competition with Russia is most evident in Europe, the Middle East has emerged as one of the most important arenas of competition beyond the competitors respective backyards.This report part of a four-volume series explores the focal points of competition among the United States, China, and Russia in the Middle East, concentrating on areas both geographical and functional that have the potential to serve as flashpoints for a proxy conflictor limited war.1 In addition to identifying paths to potential conflict, the authors examine the specific forms that U.S., Chinese, or Russian involvement may take, which actors they may choose to support in various scenarios, and which capabilities they would bring to bear. Usingthat analysis, the authors identify what implications the findings have for the U.S. government at large, the joint force, and the Department of the Air Force in particular.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 02, 2023
Accession Number
AD1202597

Entities

People

  • Ashley L. Rhoades
  • Brad A. Bemish
  • Christian Curriden
  • Elina Treyger
  • Irina A. Chindea
  • Jessica Giffin
  • Kurt Klein
  • Nathan Vest
  • Raphael S. Cohen

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Employment
  • Geography
  • Globalization
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Recreation
  • Terrorists
  • Treaties
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies