Power And Internationalized Conflict In The 21St Century

Abstract

The aim of this research project is to provide an in depth understanding of the role of power transitions and power politics in the emergence and persistence of conflict in the Middle East region. The study used two current endearing conflicts in the Middle East; the Syria and Yemen conflicts. To achieve this, the study was guided by 4 research objectives; to determine the place of global power transitions in accounting for the phenomenon of international conflict in the 21st century, to demonstrate the role of power politics in the emergence and persistence of conflict in Syria and Yemen, to examine why conflict management processes have been unsuccessful in securing lasting peace in Syria and Yemen, and ultimately to suggest possible strategies for better management of the conflicts in Syria and Yemen to ensure lasting peace. To address these objectives, the study has provided a detailed explanation of power transitions in the 21st Century, analysis of power relations between various states, and their impact on conflict emergence and protraction, as well as an analysis of the peace processes in a bid to understand reasons behind their dismal performance in bringing lasting peace in Syria and Yemen. Therefore, this study provides a descriptive analysis of the changing power dynamics characterized by intensified power contestation between state actors and emerging non state groups and their role in exacerbating conflicts in the Middle East region. This study is grounded on the Power transition theory proposed by Organski and Kugler, which best brings out the relationship between power transitions and international conflicts in the 21st Century. Other theories such as the theory of multipolar stability, realism and theory of conflict transformation have also been used to explain the relationship between power and conflict and to support the arguments put forth by Organski and Kugler, that hegemonic power contestation, results in a less stable world. The study confirms the hypothesis that changing power dynamics in the 21st Century are at the core of violent conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Yemen.