Shifting Balance of Power in the Middle

East-Policy Options for Pakistan Research

Paper
:PRESENTED BY
HAFZA JAMEL
FATIMA IQBAL
ANIB MUSLIM
MUHAMMAD SHERYAR YOUNIS BHATTI
MUHAMMAD SAQIB BASHIR
Table of Content:

 I. Abstract
 II. Introduction
 III. Significance
 IV. Research Methodology
 V. Literature Review
 VI. Main argument
 VII. Recommendations
 VIII.Conclusion
 Abstract:

 In the research paper titled “Shifting balance of Power in the Middle East –Policy Options for
Pakistan”, the authors discuss the utmost importance of the region of Middle East and its effects on
Pakistan.
 First and foremost, the complexity of the region is thoroughly discussed.
 Furthermore, the bilateral and multilateral relations Pakistan has with the many Islamic states present in
the region
 Moreover, in order to conduct the research, the methodology of positivism as well as pragmatism is
applied
 For the methodology, the use of secondary research articles, newspapers, journal articles, and books is
considered.
 Lastly, as a recommendation to Pakistan, Pakistan should opt for as a third party or offer its good offices
in order to lessen the tensions between some of the countries of the region.
Introduction:

 There is no permanent friendship and eternal animosity in international system, only national interests
are permanent.
 Foreign policy of a state comprises set of strategies, orchestrated by leaders and policy makers, to
protect and promote national interests of a state.
 When we talk about Middle East, we get to know that the region is religiously inflamed, ethnically
diverse and demographically explosive.
 In current scenario it is the most fermented region of the globe, mainly because of the shift of balance
of power in the region
 There are multiple foreign actors which are directly shaping the politics of the entire region; Turkey,
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Syria and Israel are the active and key players in region.
Continued…

 Regional balance in Middle East was disrupted at beginning in 2003 when United States invaded
Iraq.
 Moreover, the incident which turned the Middle Eastern balance of power upside down was the 2010
Arab spring.
 The unstable condition paved the way for the ongoing Syrian crisis.
 Syrian conflict flamed the phenomenon of ISIS in the Levant region.
 On the other hand this civil war produced and conducive environment for the involvement of major
powers like America and Russia.
 Involvement of major powers became the basic cause for the formation of new alliance system which
lead towards the shifting of balance in the region.
 When Obama assumed the office, United States adopt the policy to leave Middle East to its
allies Israel and Saudi Arabia.
 Russia started to settle in Middle East over the Syrian crisis.
 Saudi Arabia under Muhammad bin Salman began to work on clear ambitions to become a
regional power, He initiated operation in Yemen generating rivalry between Saudi Arabia and
Iran.
 Egypt in region entered alliance and protection by Saudi Arabia
 Iraq came under the influence of Iran.
 In addition to this turkey has been struggling for regional leadership since 2011 and is re-
approaching in maintaining the balance of power in Middle East.
.…Continued

 With trump coming to power United States pursued with its policy of disengagement from Middle
East considering the fact that US cannot leave Middle East.
 Trump’s first foreign visit to kingdom of Saudi Arabia showed the tilt of United States interests
towards the region.
 Pakistan moreover is a state that has cordial relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran.
 Pakistan in recent years has maintained a balance between both the states (Saudi and Iran) by
maintaining both military, economic relationship and ideological affinity.
 Besides this Pakistan should offer reconciliation between both the states and utilize every
opportunity at best of Pakistan’s interest
Significance:

 The geographical location and geostrategic position of the Middle Eastern region makes it attractive
and vulnerable to the mighty regional and world power players.
 This region has become a traditional zone of vested intersecting interests of big powers.
 Since the transformation of geo-politics into geo-economics, the shape of international politics has
been altered
 The beauty of Persian Gulf lies in its busiest trade routes and greatest oil reserves that fascinate the
mighty players to influence it.
 This paper focuses on the policy implications for Pakistan due to changing balance of power
scenario in the middle eastern region
 Studies in this paper provides an effective understanding of political matters while formulating
foreign policy and dealing with other states.
.…Continued

 This study has analyzed historic relations of Pakistan with two major powers of the cold war and
predicts a better future for progressive and prosperous relations with the two.
 The balance of power is shifting in the region so, Pakistan needs to learn to formulate a balanced
foreign policy.
 This study is also imperative in academia while studying contemporary relations of Pakistan with
U.S., Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia
 This paper aims at foreign office of Pakistan, providing policy implications while negotiating with
India in case of Kashmir as India
Research Methodology

 “Research is a logical and systematic search for new and useful information on a
particular topic.
 The research methodology for this research paper is further divide into 3 parts:
 A) Research Philosophy.
 B) Methodological Framework.
 C) Theoretical Framework.
:a) Research philosophy

 The concept of research philosophy encompasses the belief about the way in which data should be
gathered for analysis on a phenomenon.
 This is to differ between what we consider or believe to be true and what actually happens to be true.
 The research philosophy chosen for the conduction of this research is of positivism and pragmatism.
 By positivism, it is understood to conduct a scientific research based on empirical, observable, and
quantifiable data
 Pragmatism is the theory that evolved in the United States of America that deal with any phenomenon
on the merits of its usefulness and practicality.
 The research here in is to utilize this notion to use the ground realties to come upon conclusions that
can actually benefits the target audience in their decision making.
:Methodological Framework

 Secondary sources; research articles, newspapers, journal articles, and books have been used.
 To gather information on the changing dynamics of the Middle-East and the policy options it
leaves and creates for Pakistani policy makers.
 On the whole, a positivist approach has been taken to understand the issues faced by the
Pakistani government.
 The research is mainly inductive in its methods.
 The objective and positivist approach have been chosen to understand the core and basic
issues that need to be researched in the study.
Theoretical Framework:

 The theory of realism, more specifically the concept of realpolitik, and pragmatism is put to
use to evaluate the actions and policies of the Pakistani government.
 Pragmatism focuses on a "changing universe rather than an unchanging one".
 Realism is a school of thought formalizing the Realpolitik statesmanship.
 The theories of pragmatism and realism have been combined to use a more refined form and
understanding of realpolitik in the application of the study.
 The understanding that everything viewed by its usefulness allows to retain objectivity in
analysis of the problem