One of my friends was in Bosnia when the Syrian Civil War beginnings and the endless Palestine-Israel conflict he met with a Dutch and after a while they started to talk about the Middle East. My friend told me he was very impressed by Dutche’s knowledge of the Middle East and then he asked about his major but learnt that he was just an engineer. He said, “It made me feel different then I asked him why you are so been interested in The Middle East? It’s an unknown and different world for you”. He just said if we are not interested in you, we will have trouble with each other, he meant to Western countries. According to his idea, the intervention of the Western countries in the Middle East is not just about stopping war and conflicts, it’s covering their own internal problems and focusing on the Arab world to create new external problems which will dispense the tension between them. Now lets review the history of Middle East wars from the Ancient Empires.

1. Ancient Empires:
   • Persian Empire: The ancient Persian Empire, under rulers like Cyrus the Great and Darius I, played a significant role in the region’s early history. Battles such as the Battle of Marathon and the Persian Wars with Greece had lasting implications.
   • Alexander the Great: After defeating the Persians, Alexander the Great’s conquests reached into the heart of the Middle East, leaving a Hellenistic influence that persisted for centuries.
2. Roman and Byzantine Period:
   • The Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire had a presence in the Middle East, with conflicts often centered around control of key trade routes and religious differences.
3. Islamic Conquests:
   • The 7th century saw the rapid expansion of the Islamic Caliphate, which conquered large parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. The Battle of Yarmouk and the Siege of Jerusalem were pivotal events.
4. Crusades:
   • A series of Crusades, initiated by European Christians, aimed to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. These conflicts, spanning several centuries, had profound and lasting effects on the region.
5. Ottoman Empire:
   • The Ottoman Empire, which emerged in the late medieval period, became a dominant force in the Middle East for centuries. Ottoman military campaigns included conflicts with Safavid Persia, Mamluks, and European powers during World War I.
6. World War I and the End of the Ottoman Empire:
   • The Middle East became a theater of conflict during World War I. The Ottoman Empire sided with the Central Powers and eventually collapsed. The Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Balfour Declaration influenced the post-war division of the region.
7. Modern Conflicts:
   • Arab-Israeli Wars: The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 led to a series of conflicts with neighboring Arab states, including the wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973.
   • Iran-Iraq War: Lasting from 1980 to 1988, this conflict between Iran and Iraq resulted in significant casualties and had a lasting impact on the geopolitical dynamics of the region.
   • Gulf War: In 1990-1991, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait led to the Gulf War, with a coalition of nations, including the United States, driving Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
   • Post-9/11 Conflicts: The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, triggered by the 9/11 attacks, involved substantial Middle Eastern involvement and had widespread repercussions.
   • Arab Spring: Beginning in 2010, a series of uprisings and protests across the Arab world aimed for political reform. While some led to regime changes, others resulted in prolonged conflicts.
8. Syrian Civil War and ISIS:
   • The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, has been a devastating conflict with regional and global implications. The rise of ISIS added a new dimension to the turmoil, leading to international intervention.
9. Yemen Civil War:
   • The conflict in Yemen, beginning in 2014, involves various factions, including the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the internationally recognized government. It has created a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Gulf War (1990-1991):

The Gulf War, also known as the First Gulf War, was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition of nations led by the United States. The primary cause was Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. The international community, alarmed by this act of aggression, condemned Iraq and called for its withdrawal from Kuwait.

Key Events:

1. Invasion of Kuwait: In August 1990, Iraqi forces, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait, claiming territorial and economic disputes.
2. International Response: The United Nations (UN) condemned Iraq’s actions and demanded its withdrawal from Kuwait. A coalition of nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and several Arab countries, formed to enforce UN resolutions.
3. Operation Desert Storm: In January 1991, the coalition launched Operation Desert Storm, a massive air campaign followed by a ground offensive to liberate Kuwait. The air campaign aimed at crippling Iraq’s military infrastructure.
4. Liberation of Kuwait: The ground offensive swiftly expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait by February 1991. The conflict ended with a ceasefire, and Kuwait was liberated.
5. Aftermath: The Gulf War had lasting consequences. While Kuwait was liberated, Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq, setting the stage for future conflicts. The war also had geopolitical implications and marked a significant chapter in the history of the Middle East.

Israel-Palestine Conflict:

The Israel-Palestine conflict is a long-standing and deeply rooted dispute over territory, identity, and sovereignty in the Middle East. It has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has evolved over time, marked by a series of wars, negotiations, and ongoing tensions.

Key Events and Phases:

1. Pre-1948: The conflict gained momentum with the Zionist movement, which sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Tensions increased as Jewish immigration rose under British rule.
2. 1948 Arab-Israeli War: The State of Israel was established in 1948, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. Arab states opposed the creation of Israel, and the war resulted in territorial changes and the displacement of Palestinian refugees.
3. Six-Day War (1967): Israel preemptively struck Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in 1967, resulting in a swift victory. Israel gained control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights.
4. Yom Kippur War (1973): Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel in 1973, leading to a conflict known as the Yom Kippur War. While it ended in a ceasefire, it had diplomatic repercussions.
5. Peace Process: Attempts at peace, including the Camp David Accords (1978) between Israel and Egypt and the Oslo Accords (1993) between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), aimed at establishing a framework for coexistence.
6. Second Intifada (2000-2005): A period of intensified violence and Palestinian uprisings began in 2000, leading to significant loss of life on both sides.
7. Gaza Conflicts: Israel has engaged in conflicts with Hamas, the Palestinian authority in Gaza. Operations such as Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009) and Operation Protective Edge (2014) aimed to curb rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel.
8. Ongoing Tensions: The conflict remains a central issue in the region, with issues such as borders, refugees, settlements, and the status of Jerusalem remaining major points of contention.

Efforts for a lasting and comprehensive peace continue, with periodic negotiations and international involvement, but a resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict remains elusive. The situation is complex and deeply rooted in historical and geopolitical factors.