The Concept Of The "Middle East"

Hazem Saghieh     Al-Hayat     2004/03/24

It could be said, with much truth, that the Greater Middle East (GME) has harmed the concept of the Middle East. The most prominent reason behind this is that he who cannot create a small Palestine cannot create a GME. Perhaps this small Palestine and the GME have become farther away after the assassination of Sheik Ahmad Yassin.

This is being said without much belief, whether from the rulers or the ruled, who exaggerate in using the Palestinian excuse, but it is being said in the context of determining all or some of the real obstacles in the project's course. The biggest obstacle, even bigger than that of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is believing those who suggested the dossier and their intentions.

Despite this, let us consider the importance of the concept of the Middle East in isolation of the current American administration, for those who are interested in the rise of the cultural genre which rotates around Islam would find in this association a more suitable framework for what they seek. Other than the rapprochement between Islamic peoples and cultures, a certain calm inheritance of nationalism would be realized, for it has been proven that the European model of the 19^th century cannot be repeated, particularly when it comes to Arab nationalism.

Yet, the issue transcends the cultural genre to solving the destructive conflicts and establishing plans for development. It suffices to say that the problem of water might become the biggest problem in the next few years, the solution of which will not be found neither in the terminology of the nation-state nor in nationalist terminology that is more poetic. The simple reason behind this is that the basic rivers are not just resources shared by two countries, but they are mostly shared Arab resources. If this true, then it is also true that irrigation projects, water investments, digging canals and building dams all exceed the capabilities of one state or a group of states on its own.  

Nevertheless, what is more urgent pertains to civil and regional conflicts. The Kurdish problem in Syria has reminded us that the issue connects four or five countries together in a way that makes it impossible to solve completely in one country without parallel solutions in the others. Prior to Syria, the Turkish response to the transformations in Iraq, especially the Kurdish transformation, gave unmistakable indications. 

This is without forgetting the original Palestinian-Israeli problem, and its ramifications on a number of neighboring states, and the existence of other occupied territories like the Syrian Golan. The solution of the mentioned problem cannot be reached without being endorsed by the whole region, for its factors will dissolve within the diversity of the region.

At best it could be said that a malleable framework that joins between the nation-states and the Middle East as an economic, cultural and political sphere is a horizon worth supporting in a manner that transgresses the current policies of the United States.   

<h1>The Concept Of The "Middle East"</h1><h4>Hazem Saghieh     Al-Hayat     2004/03/24</h4><p><p>It could be said, with much truth, that the Greater Middle East (GME) has harmed the concept of the Middle East. The most prominent reason behind this is that he who cannot create a small Palestine cannot create a GME. Perhaps this small Palestine and the GME have become farther away after the assassination of Sheik Ahmad Yassin.</p><p>This is being said without much belief, whether from the rulers or the ruled, who exaggerate in using the Palestinian excuse, but it is being said in the context of determining all or some of the real obstacles in the project's course. The biggest obstacle, even bigger than that of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is believing those who suggested the dossier and their intentions.</p><p>Despite this, let us consider the importance of the concept of the Middle East in isolation of the current American administration, for those who are interested in the rise of the cultural genre which rotates around Islam would find in this association a more suitable framework for what they seek. Other than the rapprochement between Islamic peoples and cultures, a certain calm inheritance of nationalism would be realized, for it has been proven that the European model of the 19^th century cannot be repeated, particularly when it comes to Arab nationalism.</p><p>Yet, the issue transcends the cultural genre to solving the destructive conflicts and establishing plans for development. It suffices to say that the problem of water might become the biggest problem in the next few years, the solution of which will not be found neither in the terminology of the nation-state nor in nationalist terminology that is more poetic. The simple reason behind this is that the basic rivers are not just resources shared by two countries, but they are mostly shared Arab resources. If this true, then it is also true that irrigation projects, water investments, digging canals and building dams all exceed the capabilities of one state or a group of states on its own.  </p><p>Nevertheless, what is more urgent pertains to civil and regional conflicts. The Kurdish problem in Syria has reminded us that the issue connects four or five countries together in a way that makes it impossible to solve completely in one country without parallel solutions in the others. Prior to Syria, the Turkish response to the transformations in Iraq, especially the Kurdish transformation, gave unmistakable indications. </p><p>This is without forgetting the original Palestinian-Israeli problem, and its ramifications on a number of neighboring states, and the existence of other occupied territories like the Syrian Golan. The solution of the mentioned problem cannot be reached without being endorsed by the whole region, for its factors will dissolve within the diversity of the region.</p><p>At best it could be said that a malleable framework that joins between the nation-states and the Middle East as an economic, cultural and political sphere is a horizon worth supporting in a manner that transgresses the current policies of the United States.   </p></p>