THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT: PERPETUAL JIHAD

The Middle East conflict has been fiercely debated by politicians and religious and professional groups. In recent years, the Middle East conflict has been the primary source for unrest and instability in the world. Addressing this conflict objectively and rationally could reduce/eliminate bloodshed and profoundly change the direction of world politics. The conflict has led to deep resentments among people of various faiths and cultural backgrounds. Its persistence is attributed to the tremendous influence that religion and economic factors exercise upon policy. It appears that there are several groups that prefer to politicalize religion and are intended to keeping the world in a state of perpetual Jihad. In this paper, the various perspectives of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam regarding Jihad are outlined. The origins of and the historical perspectives on Jihad are clarified. The evolution of the meaning of Jihad in each religion is outlined in the context of the rise and fall of power in each religion. Various forms of Jihad are presented. This paper suggests that perpetual Jihad is a tragic and highly dangerous development and its consequences to the world are potentially devastating. Perpetual Jihad will fuel rather than resolve conflict and will eventually threaten world stability. The Middle East conflict: perpetual jihad In a sign of optimism Warren W. Christopher (1994), then U.S. Secretary of State, argued that if the forces of peace prevail and governments in the Middle East adopt free market reforms, the region will enjoy an era of economic growth that exceeds anything it has seen in the twentieth century. This same sentiment was been echoed recently by Colin Powell. Powell, among others, believes that the Middle East has all the required resources to enhance the economic welfare of its citizens and be a major economic player in the world economy. There are, however, various factors that have frustrated economic development and led to a general decline, in recent years, in the standard of living of the people there. The UN’s Arab Human Development Report 2002 asserts that from the Atlantic to the Gulf, people experience “deprivation, in all its forms.” The Report reveals that there is a widespread economic stagnation and sluggish trade performance. These have been primarily attributed to “political upheavals, military conflicts, sanctions and embargoes.” All have contributed to lack of political freedom, foreign occupation,