MIDDLE EAST

GOOGLE EARTH PANEL PRESENTATION

POLITICAL GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Government system: Islamic Republic (Afganistan&Turkey), Theoracy, single-party state. Members of UN external interference wrt governments decisionmaking process and regional conflicts e,g. Syria Uprising Water Politics Dry, arid region claims over rights to water in the Middle East centered around the areas three major river systems. Conflict E.g: Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Iran stands alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors Political conflict over ethnics

ECONOMIC GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

The region is best known for producing and exporting oil. The Middle East and North Africa produce more than onethird of the worlds oil. Since oil is a necessity for all production, it implies that they are influential in the world economy. They are able to influence the supply and thus prices of oil.

The oil industry significantly impacts the entire region, both through the wealth that it generates and through the movement of labor. As of 2007, according to the CIA World Factbook, all nations in the Middle East are maintaining a positive rate of growth. > Middle East has a rising economy.
However, the Middle Eastern economies range from being very poor (such as Gaza, Yemen and Afghanistan) to extremely wealthy nations (such as Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia) > Wide disparity in the living standard of the countries in Middle East.

SOCIAL GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Heavy censorships on media propaganda Flawed political system human rights concerns + inequity Common religion Islam -> minorities may be neglected Myriad religions possible tensions Efforts in fostering diplomatic ties gain political standing in world issues

Iran:

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Theocracy guided by an Islamist ideology > successful as it has many more departments Syria: One-party state, or a state governed by an absolute monarchy or dictatorship > no freedom of speech (plus lack of human rights) 2011-2012 Syrian Uprising

2011-2012 Syrian Uprising (A part of the wider Arab Spring):

Demonstrators want greater freedom, an end to extrajudicial killings and torture, and the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. More than 5,000 civilians have been killed by security forces and 14,000 others detained

ANY ECONOMIC UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Afghanistan Opium production Record economy vulnerable With rich natural resources anomaly of countries with GDP per capita < $900. E.g. Afghanistan (Conflict between the Talibans & govt. hindered progress of Afghan.) Tourism industry good prospects only for a few countries e.g. UAE and Qatar Impact of ethnic conflicts is significant. Iraq hoping to attract more tourists. High youth unemployment rate (1 out of 4 youth in turkey are unemployed) Overemphasis on economic progress Economic potential being wasted Technological achievement Iran and Syria in top 50Invest in the area of research and development Increase quality of local products and skills of its people Countrys direction: sustained economic growth

ANY SOCIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Iran: - a pluralistic society -> greater tolerance in religion issues Afghanistan: - able to practice own religions -> more freedom Turkey: - bidding of EU membership -> ease restrictions Syria: - internal political tension -> instability