The Politics of Chaos in the Middle East
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 67, Heft 3, S. 548-552
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 67, Heft 3, S. 548-552
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 67, Heft 3, S. 548-552
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 71, Heft 3, S. 349-370
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 69, Heft 4, S. 710-715
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 63, Heft 2-3, S. 241-278
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 64, S. 393-411
ISSN: 0020-577X
In the fall of 2005, the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten printed a dozen cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. During the ensuing debate, a group of Danish Muslims wrote a critical pamphlet on the affair & visited several Middle-Eastern countries where they presented their side of the story. Their actions helped trigger the wave of anti-Danish demonstrations that washed across the Middle East in the spring of 2006. Western commentators criticized the actions of the Danish Muslims, condemning the way in which the group had contacted authorities of alien states to bring pressure to bear on their own behalf. This, however, has long been common practice among Western groups - especially among liberal groups that seek to further individual freedoms & rights. Several lessons may be drawn from this so-called cartoon affair. One of them is that the tactics of these Western liberals can easily be adopted by others. In a globalized world, these tactics may even be used against liberal Western ideals. Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 69, Heft 4, S. 695-703
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 63, Heft 5, S. 469-472
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 61, Heft 2, S. 201-224
ISSN: 0020-577X
In light of the dramatic events in the Middle East in the course of the spring 2003, it has become more & more important to focus the interest on the multidimensional relationship between the West & Arabic world. The Barcelona process or the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) is relatively purely known, but nevertheless an important aspect of the European Union's policy toward the Arabic countries. The EMP was launched in 1995 between the EU & 12 countries on the southern side of the Mediterranean Sea. The article gives a brief account of the content & the form of the project by Dec 2002 & explains at the same time the motive behind the European activities in the Mediterranean region. The three parts of the project (the political, the economical & the cultural partnership) are then analyzed focusing on the actual challenges. Problems are of financial as well as of cultural character, but the main responsibility for the slow progress characterizing the project is to be sought in the diverse interests of the member countries in important areas as trade & security politics. 24 References. Adapted from the source document.
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 64, Heft 1, S. 95-122
ISSN: 0020-577X
This article analyzes US & Chinese policy & strategy in the Middle East, with focus on energy resources, market, investment, & policy shaping. United States engagement in Iraq & other initiatives to control political conditions in the Middle East are here considered to be intimately connected with the US desire to stabilize oil supply. However, as US involvement in Iraq has failed to produce satisfactory results in terms of stability & security, & as the US appears ever more intent upon escalating conflict with Iran, the surety of American intention & outcome in the region remains highly tenuous. As such, China holds an extremely important position with regards not only to its friendly relationship with Iran, but also with its massive stake in the American economy. The race to secure international oil supply is traced here to illustrate the Middle East as the volatile supplier, the United States as a potentially zealous military & financial power, & China as a potential wildcard that can radically influence the developments of all actors in this conflict. References. C. Brunski
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 72, Heft 4, S. 453-472
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 65, Heft 1, S. 61-89
ISSN: 0020-577X
The chief objective of the Iraq War has been branded as US control of the Middle East. Rising oil imports, stronger pro-Israeli interests & the demise of a Soviet rival power have resulted in a US Middle East policy more based on force than on diplomacy. Both for the US & Israel important interests are at stake. The reconstruction of Iraq's large oil industry is likely to influence the world oil market for decades. For Israel an alliance of Iraq & Syria might be critical. Israel does not have the resources to control its strategic environment, & any Israeli use of force requires US support. Thus the US occupation of Iraq & any plans to invade Iran dampen pressure on Israel to find a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, Lebanon & Syria, while a US withdrawal from Iraq would increase pressure. While it might be in the US interest to weaken the Arab states & their control over oil, a fragmentation could be in Israel's interest. The draft Iraqi oil law suffers from a lack of clarity that might compromise the government's bargaining position. Iraq can rebuild its oil industry through service contracts that eventually might be paid in oil. Many large, proven fields with a low geological risk preclude any need to explore for new prospects or grant equity shares in fields already indicated, or to enter into long-term oil contracts as long as the war lasts. The US occupant has, however, a pressing need to kick-start the Iraqi oil industry. Finally, the article discusses prospects for US policy on the Middle East in the years to come. References. Adapted from the source document.
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 60, Heft 3, S. 285-318
ISSN: 0020-577X
In: Internasjonal politikk, Band 61, Heft 4, S. 391-424
ISSN: 0020-577X