In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

  • Addressing the Security Issue in the Middle East:The Importance of Interrelationship and Inclusion
  • Dora Bakoyannis (bio)

Let us dive into history momentarily and be reminded of a simple truth: Persian, Arab, and Hebrew civilizations have reached great heights. They have excelled in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and literature. They are host to some of the most impressive architectural monuments of all times. Their lands have provided inspiration for countless men and women who write about the mythical Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the grandeur of Petra, the ancient city of Umm el-Marra, and the holy city of Jerusalem. Today, anyone visiting the region is witness to its grandeur and long history—a history that transcends today's geographical boundaries. Most importantly, a history that unites all ancient peoples in some way. Indeed, Arab men of letters were agents of the dissemination of Greek logic and philosophy, via Spain, into Western Europe.

That was then, however. Today, the Middle East is suffering from a series of vicious wars and a forever stumbling peace. It bears broken promises and lost lives, unspeakable tragedy, untold destruction, and unimaginable pain. It is high time that this suffering ends. The peoples of the Middle East have the right to live in peace. They have the right to live in security and stability. Most people in the region have not felt secure in a very long time; others have never felt the feeling of security. We need to work toward reawakening hope, toward fostering a vision of cohabitation, peace, and development for those [End Page 1] countries and their peoples. Indeed, history has taught us time and again that neither victories in the battlefield nor blind violence against innocent civilians ever solved, or ever will solve, the problems of the Middle East or of any other region. These are issues that require political solutions. Such solutions must surface through diplomatic means, in a spirit of compromise, mutual respect, and acceptance.

To this end, the argument posited here is simple and is centered on the ideas of interconnectedness and inclusion. Approaching from four key fronts—the war in Lebanon, the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the situation in Iraq, and Iran's nuclear program—I maintain that the issues tormenting the Middle Eastern region today cannot be seen in isolation. They are interrelated and should be approached as such if we are to progress toward sustainable and viable solutions guaranteeing peace and security.

Why Does Greece Have a Say?

Geographically, Greece is the European Union country nearest to the Middle East. It is the EU country that lies at the crossroads of three continents. Greece's proximity to the Middle East is threefold: it is historic, cultural, and geographic. As far back as the eighth century BC, the Greeks founded some of the principal cities around the Mediterranean Sea, such as Byzantium (and subsequently Constantinople and Istanbul), Marseilles, Naples, and Alexandria. They created a culture whose main components form the basis of modern democratic societies. In Hellenistic times they helped formulate the first multicultural Mediterranean universe. Greece is also the EU country that enjoys the longest and closest political ties with this region. It was, thus, the first to come into close contact with the Arab world. While this contact began as confrontational, soon enough the Arab world and the Medieval Greek-led Roman Empire reached a position of profound intercultural dialogue and understanding.

Today, Greek coasts make up one-third of the entire Mediterranean coastline. The Greek-owned merchant marine is the largest in the world and carries nearly 30 percent of all maritime commerce. Our geostrategic position, coupled by our country's resources and sense of solidarity, fuelled our support in the Lebanese crisis of last July, when Greece helped evacuate the [End Page 2] nationals of twenty-eight countries. At its side was Cyprus, which also proved an invaluable basis for addressing this grave humanitarian crisis. It showed that it can be a problem solver and a safe haven in the region, acting swiftly with organization and determination.

Interrelationship and Inclusion: The Keys to the Middle East Crisis

The Middle East faces, yet again, a critical situation. This may be because, as an Israeli diplomat and...

pdf

Share