Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14
By Azer Ahmadbayli – Trend:
The shift of tectonic (geopolitical) plates in the Middle East has taken place. Decisions made in offices of several world powers and aimed at structural changes in an important and troubled region of the world begin to show its shape.
According to authors of the “New Middle East” project, the age-old conservatism of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a political regime in Iran are three factors, which have been slowing down progress in the region for decades and the world must find solution to resolve them.
The main orchestrator of radical changes in the Middle East is "a catalyst for global progress" - the US. The proof that the process has been launched is indicated by the specific facts.
Saudi Arabia needs changes. Without them, the country could continue rolling in money infinitely and at the same time be known as the most notorious Islamic radicals, keeping the country in the medieval times.
The young Saudi Crown prince has been convinced that this could end badly not only for the Royal house of al-Saud, but for the whole country and the region. The Prince heeded the arguments and launched real reforms in the state. His doctrine of moderate Islam, as well as giving women permission to drive a car or to hold position of a judge is truly revolutionary for this Muslim Arab monarchy. It seems that this is only the beginning.
The second problem is more chronic and complicated – finding the optimal solution to the best-known conflict in modern history. The international community adheres to the traditional approach in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, that is, the creation of two independent States with the division of Jerusalem.
The authors of the “New Middle East” suggest a different way, welcoming creation of a single state with a single capital, where both the Jews and the Arabs will coexist hopefully in peace.
In Palestine, in Israel and in the US there are opponents of such solution. However, the fact is clear – president Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. True, he made a slight proviso that the final status of Jerusalem is a matter that would be left, including the borders, to the parties to negotiate and decide, but to the international community the status quo has been violated.
Yesterday's extraordinary summit of the OIC has also made some points clear regarding future solution to the Palestinian problem. Quite remarkable is the fact that a number of Arab States, including the strongest Arab country and the richest Arab country – Egypt and Saudi Arabia - were not represented at the level of top officials.
The third serious problem that, by opinion of the project’s writers, upsets the apple cart in the whole Middle East is the clerical regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which tries hard to spread its own ideology all over the region. It seems that the specific facts on this particular issue, proving the real existence of the new US initiative, will soon arise.
Do people need progress at any expense? The question remains relevant.