2013/01/28 by Salim Yaqub · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts
paper · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199236961.013.0015
openalex publication_date 2013/01/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract This chapter, which examines the history of the Cold War in the Middle East. It explains that the Cold War in the Middle East was never a contest between equals and explains that Western powers always enjoyed a decisive advantage. Despite this, they were not able to retain outright control over the oil reserves and strategic positions of the region, and only succeeded in maintaining access to them through cooperative local regimes. This chapter also describes how the Cold War accentuated existing patterns in Middle Eastern geopolitics and how the great powers enhanced the ability of local actors to pursue rivalries.