Chapter 6: Middle East/Gulf

In: Strategic survey: the annual assessment of geopolitics, S. 247-278

Abstract

This essay contains analysis of political and diplomatic developments in Iran, Iraq, Israel and Palestine in 2011. Defying tough sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, Iran further expanded its controversial nuclear program. Iraqi politics were dominated by the jockeying of power among four multi-party coalitions in the wake of the third set of election since Saddam Hussein was toppled by the US-led invasion of 2003. Regional developments as well as Palestinian and Israeli domestic politics made genuine progress impossible in the way of peace negotiations between the two countries. Adapted from the source document.