A volatile region once again

For every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. This is one of the laws of Physics that I remember well, as the illustrations were crystal clear at the time. A good example would be the firing of a handgun. The recoil produced is equal that of the power of the ammunition fired. Which is why getting knocked off your feet while firing a handgun is physically impossible, even with the most powerful bullets. Hollywood is sometimes full of it!

 This may be the best way to explain current events going on in the Middle East. Egypt has opened its 4-year blockade of its border with the Gaza Strip, home to about 1.6 million Palestinians. Both Egypt and Israel closed its borders with the Palestinian territory in 2007 when Hamas gained control of power. The move aimed to prevent the inflow of weapons into Gaza, that would support Hamas’ sworn oath to destroy the Jewish nation. Indeed, a low-intensity conflict ensued in Gaza in 2008 when Israeli jets attacked several targets in Gaza, as a response to continued rocket attacks by Hamas into Israel. The “war” lasted 22 days, and dealt a big blow to the Palestinian territory. This was further complicated by the controlled borders. All that was during the administration then president Hosni Mubarak. But Egypt is different today. No more Hosni Mubarak, who continued Egypt’s policies regarding peace with Israel when he succeeded the assassinated Anwar Sadat who started it all.

 With Mubarak gone and possibly facing imprisonment, the 4-year old blockade has been lifted, greatly easing border crossings between Egypt and Gaza. But this move practically isolates Israel once again. Egypt and Jordan are the only two countries in the region that have recognized Israel’s statehood. With both Mubarak and King Hussein out of the picture – the former ousted, the latter deceased – Israel may find itself all alone once again in the middle of hostility. How these two countries will treat their existing policies with the Jewish nation remains to be seen. But if the opening of its border with Gaza is any indication, we may very well be witnessing the making of a volatile region. And how does this affect us?

 Oil, of course. With the current prices of oil stubbornly remaining where they are, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen should another Arab-Israeli conflict ensue. Heaven forbid.