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Origin of Middle East Conflicts
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At least three middle east nations today that have generated heartache in the world were created reletively recently. These are Iraq, Turkey, and Kuwait. Turkey and Kuwait have been rather silent to the world in recent years but have generated their share of problems. All three mentioned were created in the name of peace during the Versailles Treaty toward the end of World War 1 and were added to the treaty by Britain.
This could have been in response to Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points that tried to validate United States involvement in the war. Points 9-13 were reflective of a policy of National Self-Determination. This means, basically, any group with a shared language, culture, and history ought to have their own nation. This established Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Poland, Croatia, and Kuwait and broke up the Ottoman Empire creating Turkey. Polish was a language and society long before it was a nation.
The inclusion of Turkey, Iraq, and Kuwait later generated many problems. This is based primarily on the fact that all Islamic nations share a common heritage and similar language creating somewhat of a vast society, one could argue a League of Islamic States, but just far enough apart to not want to be intertwined. Pride, greed, and this existing cultural barrier prevents them from cooperating and forming one nation. Instead, they constantly fight for control over their own little corner of the world and hope to survive while slowly building their own power base.
Iraq itself serves as a manifestation of this idea. Iraq is divided up into three cultural groups: Kurds, Shias, and Sunnis. For as long as most of us can remember, Iraq has been under totalitarian rule and this ruler enforced his own culture and principle on the rest of society. However, when the last totalitarian regime was ousted, a vacuum of power was created. The three groups are now rising to attempt to fill this void and try to gain a power hold in the nation. To make things more difficult, there is also outside influence that has to be considered. The Kurds in the north have frequently attempted to form their own country, Kurdistan, but Turkey north of them inevitably attack shortly after. Kurdistan then turns to Iraq for assistance and becomes Iraq again.
The Sunni region to the west shares many religious modes as Syria but is not willing to go to Syria. This creates a situation where Syria wants it but no one will allow it. Syria then provides materials to insurgencies and terrorist camps in Ninevah and northern Anbar to destablize the area.
Iran and the Shias share a common mindset yet the Shias are not willing to let what they have go. Iran and Iraq have combatted over rights to this region primarily due to the rich oil fields in southern Iraq. It is well known to Iraqi officials and governments worldwide that if Iran were to take southern Iraq, they would hold over half of the worlds oil supply. How is that for breach of national interest?
The core of this conflict is about beliefs. It is much like putting a traditional Southern Baptist in the same room as a Charismatic Pentacostal. There will be a fight eventually. When Britain added the formation of Iraq to the Versailles Treaty, it created a monster that will not soon be defeated but can be managed. One thing to keep in mind: if the Kurds, Sunnis, and Shias have to live in the same areas, they will continue to fight.