Opinions
Unresolved Conflicts? Is There Hope for an End to Hostilities?
Over the past century, the Middle East has been shaped by four interrelated layers of conflict, challenges, and crisis. Internal crises arose from the struggle to create and define postcolonial states and national identities amid social, political, and economic upheaval. Regional conflicts revolve around contentious issues such as borders, state sovereignty, military and foreign policy decisions, regional alliances, rivalries, and international alliances, often fuelling persistent tensions, writes Lisa Issak specially for the 15th Middle East conference of the Valdai Discussion Club.