Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
1.Despite the unsolved tension between Israelis and Palestinians the defining war is a broader struggle among multiple players seeking regional hegemony. Thus, is it right to say that New West Asia today is rife with small state, non-state actors pitted against each other? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
More than half a century ago, when analysts talked about war in the Middle East, they referred to a single overarching and permanent tension which existed between Israel and Arab countries like Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Today, in the new Middle East — and despite the unsolved tension between Israelis and Palestinians — the defining war is a broader struggle among multiple players seeking regional hegemony. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the changed scenario in the west Asia and in what way it is today at rife with small state, non-state actors pitted against each other.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the implied meaning of New West Asia.
Body:
- Explain in detail how there are there are fractious groups of militias, religious groups and tribal forces that exercise power in much of the region.
- These groups have grown vastly in the past 20 years, and many of them have been and continue to be financed and controlled by Iran and Saudi Arabia
- As a result, contemporary West Asia has been shifting constantly between state actors (Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Israel) and non-state actors (the militia groups and local forces) that actually controlled much of the land.
- At times, non-state actors like the Hezbollah of Lebanon have been more influential than the national governments.
- Take hints from the article and present your viewpoints.
Conclusion:
Conclude that understanding the geopolitics of the new Middle East is the key to the entire situation.
