International Relations of the Middle East

4 SKS, SPHII212256

Course Description

The Middle East International Relations course is part of the Middle East Regional Studies program, along with another course, Middle Eastern Geopolitics. The Middle East Relations course differs from the other two courses in its approach, theory, and scope. The approaches and theories used in this course include regionalism (economics), state governance systems (politics), and patterns of relations (economic-political-sociocultural). It utilizes the main approaches of International Relations (Realism, Idealism, Economism, Behaviorism, Constructivism, Postmodernism, etc.).

The Middle East is a region located in North Africa and West Asia, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, and comprising approximately 22 countries. Geographically, this region’s key characteristics include: it is the world’s largest oil producer, accounting for 60% of the world’s oil reserves; it is located between the African and European continents, making it a connecting region; it has seven important seas; it has limited freshwater resources; it is the birthplace of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and the majority of its population is Arab and Muslim.

This geographical uniqueness is both a blessing and a curse for the Middle East. This blessing, in particular, is due to its strategic position, which requires numerous ships to pass through the region. The birthplace of three major religions makes this region a popular destination for religious tourists. Its oil reserves make these countries extremely wealthy. The majority of its population is Caucasian, the race that gave birth to human civilization. Despite these blessings, the Middle East faces many problems: disasters such as war, conflict, foreign intervention, difficulties in national and regional integration, and unresolved border issues.

Middle Eastern international relations will examine the relationships between countries in the Middle East. Relations between countries are greatly influenced by their shared ethnicity (Arab) and religion (Islam), as well as their differences. Arabs are diverse and other ethnicities are also dominant, including Jews, Turks, and Persians. Islam is divided into several schools of thought (madhhabs), as well as other differences. These differences make it difficult for Middle Eastern countries to build a solid regionalism. Consequently, internal and regional integration poses a threat to disunity. Things that affect relations are also issues of political legitimacy, and the strength of foreign interference.

Expected Learning Outcome

Be able to fully explain the definition of the Middle East, the uniqueness of the Middle East region, its economic system, and its governmental system.
Be able to analyze how the Middle East’s blessings can become disasters such as war, conflict, foreign intervention, and difficulties in national and regional integration. This ability will encourage students to pursue lifelong learning.
Students can analyze several issues in Middle Eastern relations using a political approach, such as: the Arab-Israeli conflict, inter-ethnic relations (Arabs, Jews, Persians, Turks, Kurds, and Berbers), inter-regional relations (Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and West Asia), and economic relations (rich versus developing countries). This ability to analyze conflict can then develop into the ability to foster solidarity, creativity, and nonviolent activism.
Students can defend their arguments regarding the influence of oil on political stability in the Middle East and the issue of foreign interference that is fracturing Middle Eastern relations.