Source: The Hindu
Subject: International Relation
Topic: Â India and its neighborhood
Issue: Regional tension in West Asia
Why in news: West Asia needs a new security equilibrium with the Palestine issue at the center
Synopsis:
Extension of the war on Gaza
- The conflict has expanded to involve Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iranian commanders, and militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
- Israel has conducted targeted strikes in Lebanon and Syria, resulting in exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
- Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq have targeted U.S. forces. The Houthis in Yemen have turned the Red Sea into a battlefield.
- The S. has conducted airstrikes in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, aiming to retaliate against Shia militias.
- In response to chaos and instability, Sunni Islamist militants attacked Iran, resulting in the death of at least 100 people.
- Iran claims to have destroyed an Israeli intelligence outpost in Iraq’s Kurdistan and targeted training camps of Sunni Islamists in Syria and Pakistan through airstrikes.
Impact on international law:
- The situation is characterized by regional anarchy, with countries resorting to unilateral military actions to address perceived security challenges.
- Countries involved are disregarding international laws, undermining established norms that uphold the idea of sovereignty a bedrock of the international system.
- Nations are taking independent and unilateral military measures without broader consensus or adherence to international agreements, contributing to the breakdown of established diplomatic channels.
- The disregard for international norms and the pursuit of unilateral military strategies create challenges for regional stability, potentially leading to a prolonged and intensified conflict.
Recent attempt of stability before October 7 crisis:
- Just before the October 7 attack, the Middle East was relatively quieter, with positive developments like the
- Abraham Accords,
- Closer Saudi-Israel ties,
- Decreased tensions in Iraq,
- Improved relations between Gulf Arabs and Iran,
- In addition, a holding ceasefire in Yemen.
Key issues involved in recent crisis:
- The longstanding crisis of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was largely overlooked.
- The October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza have brought the Palestinian issue back to the forefront, possibly triggering the most significant security crisis in the region since 1967.
- The participation of non-state actors and the absence of a clear off-ramp make the situation more complex.
Conclusion;
- Despite a 100-day conflict with Hamas, Israel has achieved little in Gaza.
- The Houthis, having survived seven years of Saudi bombing, appear undeterred by U.S. strikes.
- Iran, while wanting to showcase strength, faces inherent weaknesses, adding an element of unpredictability to the situation.
- The traditional regional order, anchored by the U.S.’s dominant presence, is now in tatters.
- West Asia needs a new security equilibrium, emphasizing the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- Achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians could serve as a foundation for broader regional security talks involving key stakeholders like Israel, Arab nations, Iran, the U.S., and their respective allies and proxies.
