Middle Eastern Geopolitics

Introduction

The Middle East is one of the world’s most strategically significant regions. Its importance arises from its location at the intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa, its energy resources, major maritime chokepoints, religious and cultural significance, unresolved conflicts and the involvement of major external powers.

Middle Eastern geopolitics refers to the study of how geography, power, resources, security interests, alliances, identities and external intervention shape relations among states and other actors in the region.

The region is not a single political unit. It contains Arab, Persian, Turkish, Jewish, Kurdish and other communities; monarchies and republics; wealthy energy exporters and resource-poor states; and countries pursuing different foreign-policy strategies.

Geographic Scope

There is no universally agreed definition of the Middle East.

The region commonly includes:

• Türkiye
• Iran
• Iraq
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Israel
• Palestine
• Jordan
• Saudi Arabia
• Yemen
• Oman
• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Egypt

The term may sometimes be extended to include other parts of North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Strategic Geography

The Middle East occupies a central position between major global regions.

It connects:

• Europe
• Africa
• South Asia
• Central Asia
• East Asia

Its geographical importance is reinforced by major waterways and chokepoints.

Important strategic waterways include:

• Strait of Hormuz
• Bab el-Mandeb
• Suez Canal
• Eastern Mediterranean
• Red Sea
• Gulf of Aden

Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

It is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints because substantial quantities of oil and liquefied natural gas pass through the region.

The strategic significance of Hormuz was demonstrated particularly strongly during the 2026 conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The International Energy Agency reported that disruption around the Strait caused a major shock to global gas markets, with LNG flows through the Strait previously accounting for almost one-fifth of global LNG supply.

Suez Canal

Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea.

It provides a major maritime route between Europe and Asia.

Its importance demonstrates the relationship between:

• geography
• shipping
• energy
• global supply chains
• strategic security

Regional Power

Regional power refers to a state possessing sufficient capabilities to exercise significant influence within its geographical region.

Important Middle Eastern regional powers include:

• Türkiye
• Iran
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Egypt

Their influence derives from different combinations of:

• military capabilities
• population
• economic resources
• energy
• geography
• technology
• diplomacy
• alliances

Regional Balance of Power

Regional balance of power refers to the distribution of capabilities among major states and coalitions within a region.

In the Middle East, the balance is affected by:

• military strength
• nuclear capabilities
• missile systems
• alliances
• economic resources
• energy
• external support
• armed non-state actors

Arab States and Regional Politics

Arab states are not a unified political bloc.

They have different:

• political systems
• economic interests
• security priorities
• relations with Iran
• relations with Israel
• relations with the United States
• approaches toward Türkiye

The Gulf Cooperation Council provides one important framework for Arab Gulf cooperation.

Iran and Regional Politics

Iran is a major regional power with influence derived from its:

• geographical position
• population
• energy resources
• military capabilities
• missile capabilities
• diplomatic relationships
• relationships with regional armed groups

Iran’s regional role is one of the central factors in Middle Eastern security.

Israel and Regional Security

Israel occupies a central position in Middle Eastern security because of:

• its military capabilities
• technological capacity
• strategic partnerships
• relations with Arab states
• conflict with Palestinian actors
• confrontation with Iran and Iranian-aligned groups

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict therefore has implications beyond the immediate territory.

Saudi Arabia and Gulf Politics

Saudi Arabia is a major Arab and Gulf power.

Its regional influence is associated with:

• oil production
• economic resources
• Islamic religious significance
• diplomatic networks
• military capabilities
• relations with major powers

Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Iran has historically been competitive but has also included periods of diplomatic engagement and de-escalation.

Türkiye’s Regional Role

Türkiye combines:

• NATO membership
• European connections
• Middle Eastern interests
• Black Sea access
• relations with Russia
• relations with Iran
• relationships with Arab states

Türkiye’s official foreign-policy framework emphasizes its geographical position, diplomatic capacity and engagement across multiple regions.

External Powers

Middle Eastern geopolitics is strongly influenced by external powers.

Important external actors include:

• United States
• Russia
• China
• European Union
• United Kingdom

External involvement can take the form of:

• military deployments
• arms sales
• diplomatic mediation
• economic investment
• sanctions
• energy relationships
• security partnerships

Proxy Relationships

Proxy relationship describes a relationship in which a state supports an armed or political actor that pursues objectives overlapping with those of the supporting state.

The Middle East contains several examples of state and non-state relationships.

However, the term should be used carefully because armed groups often retain their own interests and decision-making capacity.

Sectarian Politics

Sectarian politics refers to political mobilization or competition based on religious sectarian identities.

The Sunni-Shia dimension is particularly important in some Middle Eastern conflicts.

However, Middle Eastern politics should not be reduced to sectarianism. States also compete over:

• territory
• national interest
• economic power
• regime security
• strategic geography
• leadership
• resources

Geoeconomics

Geoeconomics refers to the use of economic instruments to pursue strategic objectives.

Middle Eastern geoeconomics includes:

• oil
• gas
• sovereign wealth funds
• investment
• sanctions
• trade
• infrastructure
• ports
• energy corridors

Energy Geopolitics

Energy geopolitics concerns the relationship between energy resources and international power.

The Middle East remains important because of its:

• oil reserves
• natural gas resources
• LNG exports
• pipelines
• refineries
• shipping routes

Regional Security Complex

Regional security complex refers to a group of states whose security concerns are closely interconnected.

The Middle East is a classic example because developments in one country can rapidly affect others through:

• armed groups
• refugees
• missile attacks
• energy markets
• migration
• political alliances

Normalization and Diplomatic Realignment

Normalization refers to establishing or improving ordinary diplomatic, economic or security relations between states that previously lacked normal relations.

The Abraham Accords and subsequent diplomatic developments demonstrated how Arab-Israeli relations can change independently of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Middle East and Great-Power Competition

The region has increasingly become part of wider U.S.-China and Russia-West competition.

China emphasizes:

• trade
• energy
• investment
• infrastructure
• diplomatic engagement

The United States maintains:

• security partnerships
• military deployments
• diplomatic relationships
• energy and economic interests

Russia has pursued:

• military
• diplomatic
• energy
• political relationships

Key Distinctions

Middle East vs Arab world: The Middle East includes non-Arab states such as Iran, Türkiye and Israel, while the Arab world is defined primarily by Arabic language and Arab identity.

Regional power vs great power: A regional power has substantial influence in a particular region. A great power possesses capabilities and influence across multiple regions.

Geopolitics vs geoeconomics: Geopolitics emphasizes strategic power and geography, while geoeconomics emphasizes economic instruments and resources.

Proxy conflict vs interstate conflict: A proxy conflict involves states supporting other actors. Interstate conflict involves direct conflict between states.

Key Terms at a Glance

• Middle East
• Middle Eastern geopolitics
• Regional power
• Regional balance of power
• Regional security complex
• Strategic geography
• Strait of Hormuz
• Bab el-Mandeb
• Suez Canal
• Energy geopolitics
• Geoeconomics
• Proxy relationship
• Sectarian politics
• Normalization
• Strategic partnership
• External power
• Gulf politics
• Arab-Israeli relations

Related Glossaries

• 3.4 Balance of Power and Balance of Threat
• 3.5 Hegemony, Polarity and Power Transition
• 8.5 Economic Sanctions, Economic Statecraft and Trade Wars
• 9.1 International and National Security
• 12.4 Chokepoints, Corridors and Strategic Locations
• 12.5 Resources, Energy and Geoeconomics
• 14.7 Türkiye, Iran and Middle Eastern Powers
• 16.2 Arab-Israeli Conflict and Palestine
• 16.3 Gulf Politics and Energy Security
• 16.4 Iran and Regional Power Competition
• 16.5 Türkiye and Middle Eastern Geopolitics

Conclusion

Middle Eastern geopolitics is shaped by the interaction of geography, energy, military power, national interests, regional rivalries, non-state actors and external powers.

A comprehensive understanding of the region therefore requires moving beyond any single conflict or religious explanation and examining the wider strategic system in which Middle Eastern states operate.