The Arab-Israeli conflict: a study of global and regional interaction

Abstract

This study of the Arab - Israeli conflict traces its historical development in the context of an evolving international system. Numerous examples have been used to illustrate the changing manner in which the core dispute of the Middle Eastern regional subsystem has influenced or been influenced by the global system. The trend which emerges is towards an increasingly subsystem dominant relationship between the global and the regional actors. The factors identified as influencing this trend are (1) the arms transfer policies of the major systemic actors, (2) the increasing systemic dependency upon Middle East Oil, and (3) the growing sense of political independence amongst the regional actors. The study concludes that the Arab - Israeli conflict can only be resolved within the framework of the essential rules of behavior of the subsystem, and that a systemically imposed settlement is unlikely. Some United States policy alternatives are suggested which are designed to facilitate the resumption of direct negotiations between the regional conflict partners.