Political Study Middle East Region

Political Study

Middle East region is in trap of terrorism and ongoing political turmoil. The oil rich region is under intense local and international influence, which has demarcated the region into different divisions on the basis of political ideology, instead of geographical location. Recently many foreigners, and pro-western local population and political figures have experienced deadly attacks; the international investors are under continued threats of severe consequences, and financial losses. 'American businessman Nicholas Berg's body was found on May 8 near a Baghdad overpass; a video of his supposed decapitation death by knife appeared on an alleged Al-Qaeda-linked website (www.al-ansar.biz) on May 11' (Ritt Goldstein Asia Times). However that is just one side of the picture, taking into account the social and political situation of Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt, the situation is reversed. The terror threats and political uncertainty have not even spared journalists, in Iraq and Palestinian the press representatives are under attack, and the governing authorities have so far failed to provide enough protection to the press.

The political conflicts experienced by the regional countries have developed major consequences on the spectrum of the economic and social development that was earlier forecasted. Following are the different areas where the regional countries have still more to achieve and apply,

Rise in the population: In 1950's the total population of the middle East region was around 112 million, and presently the tally stands at 415 million, the regional governments have been warned that if concrete social development majors are not incorporated immediately, the regional population is likely to jump to 825 million.

Explosion of youth (particularly in group of 20-24 years): The population of the youth has surged tremendously, the youth population previously stood at 10 million in 1950m and presently it stands at 36 million. If the current growth rate persists, the population of youth is likely to reach 56 milliom by 2050.

Lack of global competitiveness, The region has failed to practiced and introduce diversified economy, and the economic growth of the region is mainly dependent upon mineral production, the regional authorities have failed to create new jobs, and no major breakthrough has taken place in global emerging technologies i.e. telecommunication, management, research. The unemployment rate of the Middle Eastern countries is around fifteen percent. Many graduates and qualified professionals fail to secure job, as there is not much to be offered.

A steady decline in non-petroleum exports as a percentage of world trade over the last half a century, and an equal pattern of decline in regional GDP as a share of global GDP' (Strategic Insights: Globalization has eluded the Middle East).

Decline in agricultural and traditional trades due to mass migration: The region mainly imports the agricultural goods from Australia, Europe and South Asian countries. The rising proportion of the agricultural import is due to the over urbanization. Since 1950's the urban population has surged from 15 million to 173 million. Every year more than million local population migrate towards the urban areas.

Gender Discrimination: The regional religious clerics and their influence over the governments have created broad problems for women, and thereby restricting their integration and involvement into society and profession. Although the females have secured permission to vote, and fight elections, but they are subjected to difficult terms and conditions. The employment of females in MENA has improved, however it is still 15% lower than East Asian countries.

Growing pressures on young men and women in the Middle East and North Africa to immigrate to Europe and the U.S. To find jobs and economic opportunities -- a process that inevitably creates new tensions and adjustment problems' (Strategic Insights: Globalization has eluded the Middle East).

Regional trade of lower magnitude:. All the countries of the region have so far failed to progress over economic and trade agreements. The countries have the region have evolved long-term bilateral trade agreements with countries outside the region. No regional forum has been developed to achieve sufficient trade and economic progress of the region. 'Furthermore increased intraregional trade offers little or no comparative advantage'(Middle East: World Bank Report). The trade and economic activities have been under critical observation due to the persistence of disharmony between foreign and religious policies of the regional countries.

Scarcity of Water: The regional countries including Jordan and Egypt have failed to provide water facilities to their citizens. The region imports such utilities.

The regional authorities has failed to provide basic amenities to their citizens, the populations still settled in impoverished settlements with severe economic constraints, due to poor education, along with improper healthcare facility,