The recent geopolitical upheavals experienced in the MENA region (the Middle East and North Africa) have exerted unprecedented pressure on its political systems as well as borders. Two recent military and political-military conflicts standout in this regard: The Invasion of Iraq by the United States and the fall of the Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. The common factor that influenced both conflicts was the need to replace authoritarian and tyrannical leaders with leaders who truly represent the will of the governed. From the dramatic diplomatic shapeups in Libya to the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Mena’s geopolitical landscape is defined by one fundamental aspect: most leaders in the region are not elected and therefore do not epitomize democratic ideals and legitimacy.
While both Iraq and Libya have their respective geopolitical trajectories and histories, common trends prevail throughout both nations. The defeat of Saddam and Gadhafi were primarily on the basis of the need to replace authoritarian regimes with those leaderships that respected the will of the majority per democratic administrations. The conflict in Iraq was addressed through military means to depose a system that was not only dangerous for the region but also the world. The conflict in Libya, on the other hand, was driven by popular movements in the wake of the Arab Spring to install a democratic and just government. It is however not lost on many that the primary reason for both was the need to control resources and increase the global dominance of traditional determinants of geopolitical dynamics like the United States.
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The conflicts described herein are not necessarily unique to the region. Other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, and especially the central part has been embroiled in longstanding turmoil to topple authoritarian leaders and ensure the proper management of resources in a way that benefits the populace. However, larger geopolitical processes like neocolonialism or the need for former colonizers to maintain control over former colonies and cultural and religious differences might frame these conflicts even further. Some of the factors that might limit the prospect of lasting peace in the region include the lack of proper governance, security, the rule of law and establishing a balance between secularism and religion. Such problems portend more full implications for the region concerning state-driven and corruption hurdles to development. Secondly, severe population pressures have strained the ability of states and led to the creation of massive disillusioned youth bulges susceptible to resulting in violence to voice their concerns.
Recent advances in technology have such as the internet (social media) have nonetheless led to popular uprisings which have brought people together irrespective of their religious and cultural inclinations by highlighting common challenges confronting all individual. These have and encouraged dialogue by underscoring common concerns among the inhabitants of the region.
