Chapter 18: The Cold War and Global Conflict
#18.4 Conflict in the Middle East, 1948-93

1. The Rise of the Arab-Israeli Conflict:

⭐Post-World War II: The British Empire, weakened by the war, decided to withdraw from Palestine, a territory it had controlled since the early 20th century.
⭐1947: The United Nations proposed dividing Palestine into two states: one Jewish and one Arab. This plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership, but rejected by the Arab leadership.
⭐1948: The British withdrew, and Israel declared independence. A war immediately erupted between Israel and its Arab neighbors (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon). This conflict, known as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, resulted in Israel's victory and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs.
⭐1956: Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, which had nationalized the Suez Canal. This resulted in the Suez Crisis, a major international incident that exposed the Cold War tensions in the region.

2. The Cold War's Impact on the Arab-Israeli Conflict:

⭐Superpower Support: The Cold War superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, became deeply involved in the conflict.
⭐The US supported Israel, seeing it as a strategic ally in the region.
⭐The USSR supported the Arab states, especially Egypt, who were seeking to dismantle Israel's power.
⭐Arms Build-up: Both superpowers supplied arms to their respective allies, fueling the conflict and escalating tensions.
⭐Proxy Wars: The Arab-Israeli conflict became a "proxy war," where the superpowers battled each other indirectly through their allies.
⭐International Diplomacy: The Cold War tensions also complicated international efforts to resolve the conflict, leading to many failed peace talks.

3. Major Conflicts in the Middle East (1948-1993):

⭐1967 Six-Day War: A preemptive strike by Israel against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, resulted in Israel gaining control of the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights.
⭐1973 Yom Kippur War: Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel, but were eventually defeated. This war led to an oil embargo by Arab countries, causing a global energy crisis.
⭐1979 Camp David Accords: A peace treaty between Israel and Egypt brokered by US President Jimmy Carter. It was the first peace treaty between an Arab state and Israel.
⭐1982 Lebanon War: Israel invaded Lebanon to expel the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) from that country.
⭐First Intifada (1987-1993): A Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, marked by violent protests and civil disobedience.

4. The End of the Cold War and its Aftermath:

⭐The collapse of the USSR (1991): The end of the Cold War removed a major source of tension in the region, and opened up new possibilities for peace.
⭐Oslo Accords (1993): A landmark agreement between Israel and the PLO, leading to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and the beginning of negotiations for a two-state solution.
⭐The Legacy of the Cold War: The Cold War deeply impacted the Middle East, leaving a legacy of mistrust, violence, and ongoing political instability.
⭐Ongoing Conflicts: Despite the end of the Cold War, the conflict in the Middle East continues to this day, with ongoing disputes over land, resources, and political recognition.

Conclusion:

The Cold War played a significant role in shaping the conflict in the Middle East, escalating tensions, fueling arms races, and hindering peace efforts. While the end of the Cold War offered new opportunities for peace, the region remains deeply divided, highlighting the lasting legacy of this era.