Oral Presentations: UC 327
The Causes and Conduct of the Conflict between Iran and Israel and Its Effects on Palestine and Syria
Presentation Type
Presentation
Abstract / Artist's Statement
In this paper. I examine three main questions. First, why are Iran and Israel in conflict with one another over the existence of Israel and the independence of Palestine? Second, how and why has this conflict spread into Syria and grown to involve the United States and Russia. Third, how has the conflict affected the Palestinian and Syrian people? To answer these questions, I applied and used historical data and the policies of each state to test two theories in the field of international relations. The first theory, constructivism, argues that the conflict has arisen over religious and cultural differences between the peoples of Israel and Iran. While this is definitely a contributing factor, based on leader statements and other policies, I conclude that the second theory, and driving reason for this conflict is best explained by structural realism. Structural realism explains that because the international system is anarchic, a states' need to survive and prosper forces them into competition and conflict with those they view as the most dominant threat to their security. Moreover, it explains why Iran and Israel are vying for power in the region, and thus in conflict over the Palestinians and using Syria as a sort of proxy battleground, which leads to the involvement of their respective allies in the United States and Russia. This paper and research are important as both Iran and Israel are significant states in international politics and the outcome of this conflict would affect not only these two states and the international political climate, but a great number of people whose lives are at risk.
Category
Social Sciences
The Causes and Conduct of the Conflict between Iran and Israel and Its Effects on Palestine and Syria
UC 327
In this paper. I examine three main questions. First, why are Iran and Israel in conflict with one another over the existence of Israel and the independence of Palestine? Second, how and why has this conflict spread into Syria and grown to involve the United States and Russia. Third, how has the conflict affected the Palestinian and Syrian people? To answer these questions, I applied and used historical data and the policies of each state to test two theories in the field of international relations. The first theory, constructivism, argues that the conflict has arisen over religious and cultural differences between the peoples of Israel and Iran. While this is definitely a contributing factor, based on leader statements and other policies, I conclude that the second theory, and driving reason for this conflict is best explained by structural realism. Structural realism explains that because the international system is anarchic, a states' need to survive and prosper forces them into competition and conflict with those they view as the most dominant threat to their security. Moreover, it explains why Iran and Israel are vying for power in the region, and thus in conflict over the Palestinians and using Syria as a sort of proxy battleground, which leads to the involvement of their respective allies in the United States and Russia. This paper and research are important as both Iran and Israel are significant states in international politics and the outcome of this conflict would affect not only these two states and the international political climate, but a great number of people whose lives are at risk.