The Middle East as an Agenda in International Relations and Its Implications for International Security
Keywords:
Middle East, International Security, Terrorism, Proxy Conflicts, Collective SecurityAbstract
The Middle East remains a central pillar of the global security architecture, characterized by persistent instability and complex geopolitical rivalries. Grounded theoretically in Neorealism and Constructivism, this paper examines the region's role in contemporary international relations, focusing on the transformative impact of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq as a critical juncture in the reordering of Middle Eastern and global security. Drawing on secondary literature, international organisation reports, and historical case analysis, the paper traces the shift from state-centric warfare to non-state threats, the rise of extremist groups such as ISIS, and the proliferation of proxy conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and beyond, to explore how regional volatility challenges the existing global security paradigm. The study further evaluates the humanitarian crises generated by these conflicts, including mass displacement and the securitisation of asylum in host states, and interrogates the repeated failure of collective security mechanisms, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to prevent or resolve these crises. The analysis suggests that the traditional Westphalian, state-centric security model is increasingly insufficient for addressing the Middle East's multifaceted, multi-actor challenges, and that Neorealist balance-of-power logic alone cannot account for the identity-driven and normative dimensions of regional conflict. The paper concludes by advocating for an evolved international security framework, one that integrates human-centred development, inclusive governance, and multilateral diplomacy, and offers suggestions for policymakers and future researchers seeking to foster long-term regional and global stability.
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