The Middle East between War and Peace
Keywords:
Middle East peace process, Israeli-Palestinian relations, international politics, ethnic identities, cultural identities, U.S. influenceAbstract
This article analyzes the complexities of the Middle East peace process over the past decade, focusing on its cyclical nature of dialogue and violence. The paper explores how the conflict's historical roots, multiple dimensions—ethnic, religious, national, and political—and the permanent state of mutual estrangement among regional actors have bred skepticism. The author contends that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process initiated in the early 1990s marked a turning point, casting new light on the relationship between primordial identities and politics. This study examines the role of international transformations, particularly the consolidation of U.S. influence, in shaping regional dynamics. The article argues that while structural conditions for negotiation improved, internal changes within the region have posed significant challenges to sustaining political will and reshaping ethnic and cultural identities. Key findings highlight the tension between grandiose intentions and viable political projects, emphasizing the need for a culture of negotiation that moves beyond binary friend-enemy logic.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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