What are some different factors that cause conflict in the Middle East?

Answer 1

Unlike the United States which sees public debates and elections as a fair mechanism for deciding which opinions should get the Right of Way, many in the Middle East prefer to staunchly advocate their position by whatever means are necessary because they are assured of their correctness (either by God or personal conviction). This has resulted in both Sub-National Conflicts and International Conflicts.

Sub-National Conflicts:

Nationalism vs. Regionalism/Ethnic Nationalism vs. Tribalism: Arabs have a strongly developed nationalistic sensibility while at the same time giving great loyalty to regional and tribal authorities.

Countries Affected: Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Turkey

Political Left vs. Political Right: There are swathes of the region that make American Tea Partiers look liberal and other parts that are radically socialist.

Countries Affected: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya

Secular vs. Religious: There are the religious and the secular divides across the Middle East. Some people want the government to make more religious law-based legislation and others want the government to step away from religion and Westernize.

Countries Affected: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq