Geopolitical Rivalries in the Middle East: Complex Dynamics of Power and Identity

Exploring the Struggles for Islamic Leadership, Nationalism vs. Islamism, and the Enduring Arab-Israeli Conflict

The Middle East is a region of immense historical and cultural significance, often described as a geopolitical powder keg. Its strategic location—linking Europe, Asia, and Africa—has made it a site of global interest for centuries. The region’s wealth in natural resources, especially oil, adds to its geopolitical importance. However, religious divides, nationalistic aspirations, and external interference have turned the Middle East into one of the most conflict-prone areas in the world. Three major rivalries dominate the region's politics: the struggle for the leadership of the Islamic world, the tension between nationalism and Islamism, and the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict.