Strategic Importance of the Red Sea
Abstract
The reasons for conflict and dispute in the Middle East are numerous and varied, one of the most important reasons that causes unstability in the region is the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The United States and other countries have tried their best to put an end to the conflict. They have had limited success in achieving peace treaties between Egypt-Israel and Jordan-Israel. What remains is the more important issue, the Palestine-Israel conflict and the rest of Arab occupied land in Syria and Lebanon. The Arab states have used the Red Sea as a tool to put pressure on Israel. As a result of that pressure, Israel decided to gain more control in the Red Sea. That kind of strategy from both sides shows the mistrust of each other and makes it hard to predict when war will occur. By stating this example, I will show you how the Red Sea can be a cause for war to happen in the region. In addition to that the bordering Arab and African states have disagreements among each other and each state has its own strategy in the Red Sea regardless of what the other states' concerns are. One of the main differences among these states is boundary disputes, which sometimes generates conflict up to the level of using forces against each other. But no matter what happens between the Arab states from minor disagreement to open conflict, it will go away when any Arab state has a confrontation with Israel. For this reason and in pursuit of their vital interests, regional and foreign powers have been attracted to that important waterway so they can either influence some of the region states or the region as a whole. In this research project I will explain in detail all aspects and strategies being adopted by coastal states, regional and foreign powers in the area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391169
Entities
People
- Turki Al-anazi
Organizations
- United States Army War College