Jerusalem and Remaking Regional Alliances

The United State's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel has become a central issue in the Middle East Politics. The Palestinians are putting pressure on their government to take decisive actions against the decision by the US president Donald Trump. Making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel has triggered the formation of political alliances among the countries in the Middle East. Consequently, Jerusalem will continue influencing politics in the Middle East from 2018 henceforth. Ankara is moving away from Washington, Amman, on the other hand, is distancing from Riyadh while Tehran is taking the opportunity to form allies with other Middle East States. Since there lack of peacemaking processes in the Middle East region, Palestinians who are the closest rivals of Israelis will be weakened politically. The United States decision to rally behind Israel and Saudi Arabia will also suffer a blow since Riyadh will be forced to support Palestinian decisions. Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel will seek the support from the previous alliances and also reshape the new ones in preparation for Syrian wars. The aim of the paper is to analyze and contrast two articles about the political alliances in the Middle East by focusing on the Influence of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. The comparison is based on the articles; "Israel's Alliances are of Utmost Importance" by Lior Akerman published on November 2017 and "After Trump's Jerusalem Declaration, What Next?" by Muqtedar Khan published on December 2017. The above articles present the analysis of the influence of Israel in the formation of regional alliances meant to counter terrorism, enhance economic development and social activities and reduce conflicts that have long interfered with the general progress in the region.

According to the article by Lior Akerman, the recent political developments in the Middle East has led to the remaking of the political alliances especially between Israel and other Arab states with the aim of reviewing the common interests as well as strengthening the military might for the purposes of countering terrorism. The alliances formed by Jerusalem are capable of withstanding the threats of radical Islamists (Akerman, 2017). The author elaborates the obstacles that the states in the Middle East must overcome for Israel to succeed in forming the alliances. The analysis of the obstacles may enable the policymakers to determine the stability of the mutual pact. There are critics who often form the contrary opinions; they claim that forming or renewing the alliances with the Islamic states is impossible following the US recognition of the Jerusalem and the Capital city of Israel. The author, however, states that the renewal of the old political and the establishment of the new ones are possible. Many unexpected political alliances have been formed over the years. Additionally, economic and military connections have been formulated between different countries in the Middle East. For instance, Israel signed a peace agreement with Jordan and subsequently with Egypt. In addition, Israel was involved in the formation of wide unofficial connections with the several Sunni Gulf States, the alliances which are still operational to date. The reviewing of the alliances, according to the author will apparently force Saudi Arabia to alter its political position and recognize Israel and subsequently push other states in the Middle East to settle conflicts and recognize Israel.

According to the two articles mentioned above, the authors express similarities in thoughts. Both of them state that Israel plays significant roles in the establishment of new pacts as well as the remaking of old treaties. According to the article by Muqtedar Khan, the corporation between the Sunni Arab States and Israel is absolutely linked to the anticipated peace process between Palestinians and Jewish states. On the other hand, Lior Akerman states that the new development in Israel especially the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel is capable of enhancing the formation of different political alliances that can last longer and that can ensure peace in the entire Middle East. In both the two articles, Israel plays a critical role in the Middle East and through their interventions; the remaking of the regional alliances is possible. With the establishment of the peace processes, the Arab countries with a population mainly sympathetic to Palestinians can enter into a corporation with the United States and Israel. Without Israel, the formation of new alliances and the review of old alliances will be hard to justify. In both the two articles, the authors mention the roles played by the United in the Middle East. Being the strong supporter of Israel, United States is capable of influencing the formation of alliances between states in the Middle East. Israel is the country with the strongest military in the Middle East, it has the common interest with different Sunni states such as the eradication process of terrorists, advancing the region's economy, improving the social interactions as well as preventing the possible wars which might have deteriorating effects in the progress of the region's economy. With the willingness of other states in the Middle East to enter into alliances, Israelites have begun creating interesting ties with different states based on the economic interests, a scenario that can lead to political stability as well as economic growth of the entire Middle East.

The authors of the two articles agree that the excellent relationship that Israel has been able to put up with different states especially Jordan and Egypt concerning the security issues has been a significant factor leading to the stability of the entire Middle East region. The formation of political, economic and social ties could lead to the eradication of Hamas interest in the Gaza Strip and its departure from the political agreement with other states in the region. The American involvement in making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel was a political strategy meant to save Israel from constant conflicts that often arise as a result of Gaza Strip. The influence of Israel in the Middle East put them in a better position to form ties with other states and dictates the nature of alliances. Additionally, their influence enables s the United States to establish markets and trade partners in the region.

Although the authors of the two articles have similarities in thoughts and ideas about the Jerusalem and remaking regional alliances, Muqtedar Khan focuses more on the American ties with Israel. The article talks more on the Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. According to the author, there are many criticisms surrounding the United States involvement in making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel. Many critics argue that the move could loosen the ties between Israel and neighboring countries especially Palestine that has always been in constant conflict with Israel (Khan, 2017). The critics also state that the action by the president of the United States Donald Trump could interfere with Israel's activities of reviewing old alliances. Since the United States also have interest in the Middle East, little is known about what exactly the US president was trying to achieve. Diplomats in the Middle East argue that Trump has interfered with the American neutrality in the fight against terrorism in the region and an honest broker of peace-making processes (Khan, 2017). According to the author, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel most probably hampered Israel's move in quelling the historical conflicts that have been in existence between Israel and Palestine.

Following the ideas expressed by the two authors in the aforementioned articles, the main ideas behind the formation of new alliances as well as the revival of the old alliances are to ensure relative peace in the Middle East, enhance economic stability and to establish a social relationship between different races in the region from Jews to Arabs. The Middle East has been known as a region which is politically and economically unstable despite the availability of valuable resources such as oil. The formation of alliances will enable different governmental organizations to focus on economic activities, activities, and a scenario that will expose the potential that has long been hidden by the past regimes. The year 2017 remains to be a watershed year for the states in the Middle East. The year 2018, on the other hand, is great with promises of the continuation of the peace-making processes. Through the Israelis efforts in establishing the alliances, wars, as well as conflicts between different countries in the region, has begun to wind down. The challenge that remains is the management of terrorist activities and the formation of better approaches to conflict management. The alliances will ensure post-war transitions characterized by peace talks, free elections, and reconstructions. Although many states will respond delightfully towards Israel's move to establish long-lasting relationships, there are nations in the region that will continue experiencing conflicts and wars due to their negative stance towards the formation of alliances meant to establish peace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the remaking of alliances in the Middle East as evidenced the two articles greatly depends on the position of the Israeli government. Although many people believe that the formation of pacts between Israel and other states is impossible, Muqtedar Khan and Lior Akerman, the authors of the articles under review, believe that impossible alliances have previously been formed between Jerusalem and Jordan and consequently with Egypt. The desire for peace in the Middle East will encourage many states to come together to discuss the way forward for the region that has remained behind for a long period of time despite the presence of valuable resources such as oil and other natural resources. The recognition of Jerusalem may enhance the relationship between Israel and other states although some critics believe that the move may spur the conflicts and wars. Israel remains to be the main actor in the formation of alliances due to its strong alliance with the United States of America. Although the above articles present divergent opinions on the remaking of alliances in the Middle East, the authors at some points, presents similar thoughts over the same.

References

Akerman, L. (2017, November). Israel's alliances are of utmost importance.

Khan, M. (2017). After Trump's Jerusalem Declaration, What Next?.