By stating that “that the protection of our continent starts well beyond our shores” the protection of our continent and citizens starts well beyond our shores has formed an essentially unbroken line in Australian strategic thinking” (Howard, 2006, p. 5), the former Australian Prime minister acknowledged the importance of distant events for Australia’s interests in an era of globalization. Globalization does not only provide positive effects, in fact, global terrorism, a growing shortage of energy resources, and a higher economic vulnerability to foreign developments are also effects of globalization. The Middle East will remain a key region in the next decades for either of the mentioned negative effects and therefore, Australia’s strategic interests in the Middle East will increase. Given a broader Australian security agenda, determined by “a global power balance, favourable to our interests and to those of our allies; secure sea and air lanes as sinews of peace and prosperity; and a framework of international norms conducive to individual freedom, economic development and liberal democracy” (Howard, 2006, p. 5), events in the Middle East do matter.
Therefore, this paper will analyze key strategic challenges Australia will face in the Middle East region. Since these threats are possible threats for Australia’s security interests, this paper will also outline possible options of actions Canberra might have in order to protect its interests in the Middle East and on its broader security agenda.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Strategic Challenges for Australia in the Middle East region
- The Strategic Challenge of Iran
- Iran's Growing Military Power
- Iran's Nuclear Programme
- Iraq: A Key Issue for Australia's Interests in the Middle East
- Sectarian Schism in Iraq
- The Potential for Cooperation with Iran
- The Danger of Islamic Terrorism in the Middle East
- The Arab-Israel Conflict
- Intra-State Conflicts in the Persian Gulf
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the key strategic challenges facing Australia in the Middle East region, highlighting the potential threats to Australian security interests and outlining possible actions Canberra can take to protect its interests. The paper focuses on the escalating tensions between Australia and Iran, the volatile situation in Iraq, and the ongoing threat of Islamic terrorism.
- The rise of Iran as a regional power and its nuclear ambitions.
- The increasing instability in Iraq and the sectarian schism between Sunnis and Shiites.
- The danger posed by Islamic terrorism in the Middle East and its potential impact on Australia.
- The unresolved Arab-Israel conflict and the potential for a wider regional conflict.
- The growing threat of intra-state conflicts in the Persian Gulf region, driven by political repression and economic inequality.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by examining the strategic challenge posed by Iran's growing military and nuclear capabilities. It discusses Iran's acquisition of conventional military power, its pursuit of nuclear technology, and the concerns this has raised in the international community, particularly in Israel.
The paper then explores the complex situation in Iraq, highlighting the sectarian schism between Sunnis and Shiites and the potential for a spillover of conflict beyond Iraq's borders. The paper also examines the possibility of cooperation between the United States and Iran on the Iraqi issue, despite their ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.
The paper concludes by examining the threat of Islamic terrorism in the Middle East and its implications for Australia. It explores the links between events in the Middle East and terrorist activities in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of counterterrorism measures in the region.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The paper focuses on key concepts such as Australian security interests, regional instability, Iran's military and nuclear ambitions, sectarian conflict in Iraq, Islamic terrorism, the Arab-Israel conflict, and intra-state conflicts in the Persian Gulf.
- Citation du texte
- MSc. M.A. Robert Fiedler (Auteur), 2009, Strategic challenges for Australia in the Middle East region, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163713
