A Geographical Analysis of the Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East

The longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine has had rippling effects on the world community. Not only has it devastated a community in both nations, but the war has transcended globally, as both nations gather allies to their diplomatic defense.The seemingly never ending war has left countless dead, homes destroyed and a hope for a normal life dismayed. In light of this, the United States took the initiative of creating a roadmap towards peace for both nations. Designed to create a Palestinian State that co-exists with Israel, both nations were handed down a set of conditions in 2002.Though accepted formally in 2003, both nations have failed to act upon the roadmap and have thus, once again, left a yearning for peace in the region (Steinberg, 2002). This paper will discuss the long detailed plan of achieving peace in the Middle East, relating the geographical and political elements, problems and prospects of implementation, and the short and long term consequences of succe ss.The roadmap to peaceOverview on the geographical and political elementsIn July 2000, former US President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat have initiated the meeting with the agenda to finalize the initial peace agreements signed during the â€Å"1993 Declaration of Peace Principles† between Israel and Palestine.Sadly, the meeting ended at no point of further agreements unless critical issues on peace pact would be strongly determined (Migdalovitz, 2006). The uncompromising leverage to peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine was futile to the peace initiative mediation of the â€Å"Mitchell Commission and the Paris Summit†, wherein the spate of violence were unabated (Steinberg, 2002).Violence intensified which highlighted the March and April 2002 serial bombings that accounted death toll of more than 100 Israelis as a result of Palestinian aggression. The US initiative to refocus a new approac h to peace negotiation was then attempted by former President George W. Bush sometime in June 2004, mediating the lull of Palestinian aggression against the Israelis (Steinberg, 2002).The initiation of the â€Å"Plan for Palestinian State† has been laid down to outline the peace pact which follows the establishment of the Middle East Quartet or peace process international cooperation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, consistent with the United Nation’s peace pact proposal which is being negotiated by the US and other countries in the Middle East and European Union (Migdalovitz, 2006).Problems and prospects of implementationThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been waged since the 19th century. In which case, it is noteworthy that the peace negotiations in the 21st century can be facilitated by mediating non-Arab countries, like the United States and the rest of European Union through the guiding peace pact proposals of the United Nations.Accordingly, only the l eaders in the Middle East could dutifully institute the peace pact, in which the â€Å"presence† of the United States only tries to â€Å"systematize the outlining of a roadmap† for the peace process to be concluded in a short or long term basis (Migdalovitz, 2006).However, the continuing peace process negotiation could meet a â€Å"sticking point† which the â€Å"roadmap† for the peace negotiations can be blurry as a result of the perceived political interests of major countries that get involve in the Middle East Quartet. The critical roles of involvement of major countries must be redefined, focusing on the elemental issues of achieving substantial peace accord between Israel and Palestine (Steinberg, 2002).One more additional impediment in the Middle East Quartet could be the internal establishment of confidence among the negotiators. Of which political interests may not be a â€Å"dà ©tente† or intent to easing the tensions or strained relati ons between Israel and Palestine. It may be critically reconsidered that the Arabs accuses the Israelis for being an illegitimate which has been the campaigns of Yasser Arafat to remove 3,000 years of Jewish history in Jerusalem.The abhorrence of the Arabs to Israelis is likewise entangled in the envisioning of independent Arab states, from which Israel’s foreign relations have indicated bluntness with the European countries, as hostile stance has even contributed by the United Nations Security Council’s 2002 Anti-Israel Resolution upon attack in Gaza Strip (Steinberg, 2002). These critical reconsiderations equate a far-reaching disposition that would pave the way for an expedited peace pact and settle the long-time conflict on top of the negotiating table of the Middle East Quartet. A Geographical Analysis of the Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East In the past, geography had been one of main issues of conflict in the international community because having larger territories means having more wealth and power compared to other countries. In the early days, Spain was one of the main colonizers in our world history.Due to the many territories that they had, Spaniards were considered rich. They have many lands to plant crop, for mining of minerals, and the likes. The competition of who and what territory was a big issue for most of the powerful states in the past. However, the concept of power through geographical location and territory is still present such as the conflict of Israel and Palestine.The conflict of the Israel and Palestine penetrated the international community in the 1990’s. The conflict is a part of the widely known â€Å"Arab-Israeli† conflict. Basically, the dispute of Israel and Palestine is concerning land territory.The two states have been claiming the land ever since and both of these state beli eve that they have authority over that land for many historical, religious and geographical.Currently, the conflict of Israel and Palestine became more personal to both countries. Unlike the past, the whole conflict was related to the Arab and Israelites but now it is more focused on the territory of the Gaza and the West Bank region which borders the two conflicting states.Since the time that had passed, many changes had happened in relation to the situation of Israel and Palestine. Different states intervened with the situation and showed interest in the situation.The United States had joyfully included itself as the major key player in the resolution of the conflict. In June 24, 2002 President George W. Bush delivered his speech and encouraged Israel and Palestine to create peaceful negotiations towards having friendly relations and harmony among each other. In his speech he stated thatâ€Å"We express our determination to bring an end to the blood shed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition: to propagate a culture of peace and non-violence; to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis.In furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, we agree to immediately launch good-faith bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty, resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues, without exception, as specified in previous agreements.† (Bush, np)President George W. Bush expressed his enthusiasm towards the great possibilities of the positive relations between Israel and Palestine. HE imply for a program called â€Å"The Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East† that would provide proper guidance to the states to be able to achieve the goal of peace and harmony.He has continuously suggested that there be negotiations . There would be a committee that would specifically address the issues of the states involved in the conflict. A joint work plan would be established as well as an overseeing team to monitor the projects.The â€Å"Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East† is a plan formed by the United States shaped to stop the conflict between the Israel and Palestine. The conflict resolution will be led by the â€Å"Quartet† which is composed of the United States, Russia, The European Union and the United Nations .The plan was presented at the Israel Palestinian Authority last April 30, 2003.The US Department of State said, â€Å"The plan is a performance-based, goal-driven plan, with clear phases, timelines, and benchmarks. It involves reciprocal steps by the two parties in the political, security, economic, and humanitarian fields† (Bureau of Public Affairs, np).The concept of the Road map is mainly obliging the Palestinian Authority to create democratic reforms and neglect the utilization of terrorism. On the other hand, Israel should support and recognize the materialization of a new Palestine Government including the settlement of the Gaza and West Bank conflict.The assumed out come of the strategy is the broad resolution of the Israel and Palestine conflict however, the dedication and good-faith efforts by both states are necessary for the implementation of the Road map. Other than the members of the Quartet, other regional Arab leaders will exertion effort to maintain and assist the progression.   (Bureau of Public Affairs, np)