Europe in the Middle Europe in the Middle East East

Fawcett: International Relations of The Middle East 3e

- The four phases of Europe-Middle East - The four phases of Europe-Middle East relationsrelations

1) From World War I to the 1950s1) From World War I to the 1950s

2) The Cold War era2) The Cold War era

3) Post Cold War to 20103) Post Cold War to 2010

4) The Arab Uprisings and their impact4) The Arab Uprisings and their impact

Phase I: The Imperial Era and its LegacyPhase I: The Imperial Era and its Legacy

- European imperialism in Middle East largely a British - European imperialism in Middle East largely a British and French endeavour. and French endeavour.

- UK interests: protect communication and trade routes, - UK interests: protect communication and trade routes, access to oil after navy conversion. access to oil after navy conversion.

- French interests in extending Francophone empire in - French interests in extending Francophone empire in North Africa and proprietorial connection in Levant.North Africa and proprietorial connection in Levant.

- Wartime schemes: McMahon-Hussein, Sykes-Picot, - Wartime schemes: McMahon-Hussein, Sykes-Picot, Balfour.Balfour.

- Mandate system: Arabs of Levant and Mesopotamia - Mandate system: Arabs of Levant and Mesopotamia become citizens of client states of European victors of become citizens of client states of European victors of war war division of region and Arab narrative of imperial division of region and Arab narrative of imperial plot to divide and rule.plot to divide and rule.

McMahon-Hussein McMahon-Hussein (1915-1916)(1915-1916)

Phase II: Imperial Retreat and Cold War Rivalries Phase II: Imperial Retreat and Cold War Rivalries

- Arab nationalism and independence become rallying - Arab nationalism and independence become rallying cries.cries.

- Palestine: British retreat - Palestine: British retreat UN partition plan UN partition plan first first Arab-Israeli war and establishment of State of Israel in Arab-Israeli war and establishment of State of Israel in 1948.1948.

- 1956 Suez Crisis is ultimate humiliation for French and - 1956 Suez Crisis is ultimate humiliation for French and British; UK withdrawal from Gulf in 1971 is last step in British; UK withdrawal from Gulf in 1971 is last step in imperial retreat.imperial retreat.

- Oil boom in 70s and 80s - Oil boom in 70s and 80s European competition for European competition for sales of consumer goods and arms, funds flow to sales of consumer goods and arms, funds flow to international banking (i.e.Wallstreet and London ).international banking (i.e.Wallstreet and London ).

- UK makes weapons sales that the US can not (e.g. Al-- UK makes weapons sales that the US can not (e.g. Al-Yamamah deal). France 3Yamamah deal). France 3rdrd biggest arms supplier to biggest arms supplier to Arab Gulf states.Arab Gulf states.

- Europe on sidelines of Arab-Israeli issues – US is key.- Europe on sidelines of Arab-Israeli issues – US is key.

  David Ben-Gurion David Ben-Gurion proclaiming Israeli proclaiming Israeli independence on 14 May 1948independence on 14 May 1948

Rebels in Yemen inspired by then Egyptian President Gamal Abdul to force British withdrawal from the region

Al Yamamah: The name of a series of a record arms sales by the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia

Phase III: The EU & Regional SecurityPhase III: The EU & Regional Security

- European emphasis on “soft power”, international law, and - European emphasis on “soft power”, international law, and institution-building. institution-building.

- In 1990s, EU and US policies are distinct but complimentary: - In 1990s, EU and US policies are distinct but complimentary: Gulf War, containment of Iraq, policy towards Iran, GCC. Gulf War, containment of Iraq, policy towards Iran, GCC.

- Europeans split ranks over - Europeans split ranks over American led American led Iraq WarIraq War(2003)(2003) subsequent timidity about criticizing US elsewhere in Middle subsequent timidity about criticizing US elsewhere in Middle East.East.

- Bombings in Madrid, London and debates within Europe over - Bombings in Madrid, London and debates within Europe over Iraq, immigration, religion, etc.Iraq, immigration, religion, etc.

The The Quartet on the Middle-East Peace Quartet on the Middle-East Peace ProcessProcess in 2004 in 2004

Phase III: The EU & Regional Security (continued)Phase III: The EU & Regional Security (continued)

- The “Mediterranean Neighbourhood”: ties of - The “Mediterranean Neighbourhood”: ties of geography, economics, immigration between Europe geography, economics, immigration between Europe and the Middle East and the Middle East European policies reliant on European policies reliant on “soft power” and socioeconomics. “soft power” and socioeconomics.

- In 1990s, aspirations for area of economic cooperation - In 1990s, aspirations for area of economic cooperation and development: from Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and development: from Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (1995) to European Neighbourhood Policy (2004) and (1995) to European Neighbourhood Policy (2004) and Union for the Mediterranean (2007).Union for the Mediterranean (2007).

- Europe and the Peace Process: embrace of - Europe and the Peace Process: embrace of two-state two-state solutionsolution, but no concerted strategy – assumption that , but no concerted strategy – assumption that only the US can make a deal happen. only the US can make a deal happen.

President Mahmud Abbas welcomes European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton upon her arrival for a meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah (06.01.2011)

Phase IV: Europe and the Arab UprisingsPhase IV: Europe and the Arab Uprisings

- Tunisian revolt unexpected in Europe – Ben Ali’s - Tunisian revolt unexpected in Europe – Ben Ali’s regime seemed exemplar of EU-advocated process of regime seemed exemplar of EU-advocated process of economic/political reforms.economic/political reforms.

- In contrast to overthrow of Mubarak, in Libya there - In contrast to overthrow of Mubarak, in Libya there was was a role for external intervention.a role for external intervention. However, this does However, this does not set a precedent for action elsewhere in the region.not set a precedent for action elsewhere in the region. - Concern over Iranian nuclear issue longstanding prior - Concern over Iranian nuclear issue longstanding prior to the uprisings; possibility of war compounds sense of to the uprisings; possibility of war compounds sense of turmoil in the region.turmoil in the region.

Chief negotiator Catherine Ashton and Iran's foreign minister announce agreement on Iran's nuclear program in Geneva. (24.11.2013)

Iran Nuclear Deal What You Should Know TIME.com.url

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