The P5 in the Middle East - The American obsession with israel
Opinion Analysis by Sara Nasser, Featured Writer
June 2nd, 2021
Let me start with the magic word: Oil. The Middle East has been an area of interest for major powers because of its large and long-lasting oil reserves. Due to its importance, controlling the oil means controlling the blood of the economy - whoever wins the region, becomes a major player. Therefore, the international interventions continue to devour the region. Does this interest in oil limit the importance of the Middle East and design it only as a reserve? A strong example to prove that the Middle East can serve the national interests of the P5s is the American relations with israel. To illustrate my point regarding oil, let me start by refreshing your memories with specific P5 positions in some Middle Eastern countries.
The Russian voluntarism in Syria is not as “volunteery” as it may appear. Russia’s principal interests in Syria are the presence of crude oil and gas. It is important to note that its interest in oil is not only national. Instead, Russia also seeks to prevent direct oil supply to Europe from the Middle East. By this, Russia is not only playing a game for its market but playing to control the global market. But was it worth it to take part in a win or die war?
While I agree that China, another Big Five state, avoids direct challenges in the region, it remains one of the biggest investors. As cited by Daniel Workman (2020), 16.8%, 9.9% 3.1%, 3% of China’s imported oil come respectively from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and UAE. The interest of China in the region appears to be more economic than the other players. In other means, more political “interventions” are expected from other P5 members. Do you see China intervening in a war in Lebanon? I would leave this for the Americans.
France and UK are ‘silent’ actors, also interested in the Middle Eastern oil. France has a stronghold in large oil reserves. For instance, “Total” continued to operate in 2011 after the country’s oil and gas supply was halted. As for the UK, the expansion of the British Petroleum company in the Middle East is one of the examples of interventions that fulfill interests in oil and gas. The company even made its statement regarding its increase investments in the Middle Eastern oil and gas.
I have left the US to the end because I won’t be talking about its interest in oil. The United States is not exactly “in need” for oil, yet is still is an active player in the region. While the other P5 members are “customers”, America’s game plays the region differently. Let us put aside the oil and move to the main interest of the US: israel. The israeli dispute has been a major challenge in the Middle East and the debate over this area remain ongoing. What are the American gains in israel? Why is the Jewish community a center of interest for the US?
israel was a tool to fight Arab nationalism. The Palestinian cause shacked the Middle East and led to various Arab movements. According to the West, the perfect way to stop these movements and to end the Arab coalition was to support and protect israel. Movements led by Jamal Abdel Nasser threatened the Americans, and were strong enough to shock the world. But the strong American leadership was able to stop actions against the Jewish community. Further, it helped Americans stop communism and mobilize their power over the world.
At this stage, the United States succeeded in stabilizing the state of israel in the region. israel is now a strong military ally for the US and fights alongside it in conflicts. In other terms, America is close to its enemies through its presence in israel. For instance, the US can fight Iran through Lebanese affairs and it can fight Russia in Syria. What is the role of israel? It can assist the US militarily in conflicts. And this is being a major power: being able to control the world from different places.
On the national level, the Jewish community in America is strong and plays an important role in elections. Therefore, the US has also a political gain to seek in israel. The good actions toward the state of israel will be translated in the American elections by the Jewish community. Abrams (2020) cited that “75 percent of Jews were planning on voting for Joe Biden compared to 22 percent for Donald Trump”. It is not accurate to say that the reason behind Biden’s win is the Jewish community, but this claim proves that the Jewish community is highly engaged in US political activities.
Moreover, latest events highlight how much the US is willing to sacrifice for israel to gain power over the region. In the past weeks, the area of Sheikh Jarrah witnessed expulsion of Palestinian families from their homes as well as attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The World Health organization stated that around 8,538 injuries and 257 deceased suffered from “overwhelming health facilities” reported Reuters. While all these violent accidents were happening, the American press failed to cover the situation. Accordingly, most widely read global news sources have persistently echoed Orientalist tropes, subtly justifying israel's stance and rationalizing human rights abuses. Furthermore, the American President supplied a 735$ million arms to israel. According to Reuters, “President Joe Biden's administration approved the potential sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to israel, and congressional sources said on Monday that U.S. lawmakers were not expected to object to the deal despite violence between israel and Palestinian militants.” Consequently, the American silence and the American arm supply both highlight that the United States is willing to sacrifice its “democratic” face to gain power in the region. This is how true the loyalty of the US is to israel.
Oil explains the Middle Eastern charisma. However, it does not place it in a powerful position in the world. Major powers have designed the International system in a way to benefit from these large reserves of oil and gas. This interest does not eliminate the other “political” instruments played by major powers to gain strength. The US-israeli relationship helps in proving that the importance of the Middle East is far from being limited to oil. Major powers benefit from the Middle East for their national interests. Through israel, the US manages to control the area and to control the Jewish community present in its territory. While Arab states are in control of oil and of large communities, why does the region remain weak and easily influenced by the major powers?
References
https://www.aei.org/politics-and-public-opinion/what-we-know-about-jews-and-the-november-election/
https://www.worldstopexports.com/top-15-crude-oil-suppliers-to-china/
https://www.france24.com/en/20110926-frances-total-italys-eni-resume-libya-oil-production