Conflict in the Middle East

📌 Additional Course Information

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1 – Modern History and Foundations of International Law

• Overview of modern Middle East history from post-WWII to the present

• Introduction to the international legal structures established after WWII

• Examination of the 1917 Balfour Declaration and the 1922 British Mandate for Palestine as key historical foundations

Week 2 – States, Borders, and Territory Recognition

• Analysis of states, borders, and territorial recognition

• Study of treaty agreements and UN Security Council resolutions

• Understanding territorial claims and disputes in the region today

Week 3 – Dispute Resolution

• Introduction to the International Court of Justice

• Examination of legal decisions shaping today’s international framework

• Case-based exercises in dispute analysis

Week 4 – International Law in the Middle East Peace Process

• Exploration of treaties and conventions from decades of formal international negotiations

• Focus on the role of law in facilitating agreements between nations in conflict

Week 5 – Humanitarian Law and the Laws of War

• Study of humanitarian law, including the laws of war, use of force, military occupation, and the laws of the sea

• Overview of the International Criminal Court and its relevance to the region

Week 6 – Present-Day Conflict and Future Pathways

• Analysis of the most recent conflicts in Israel and Gaza

• Application of knowledge from previous weeks to understand causes and potential solutions

• Encouragement of independent, evidence-based conclusions about the future

Materials to Be Studied

• Historical Documents & Agreements: 1917 Balfour Declaration; 1922 British Mandate for Palestine; 1947 UN General Assembly Resolution 181; 1948 UN General Assembly Resolution 194(III); 1949 Egypt–Israel Armistice Agreement; 1967 UN Security Council Resolution 242; 1974 Israel–Syria Agreement on Disengagement; 1975 Egypt–Israel Interim Agreement; 1978 Camp David Agreement; 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Agreement; Israel 1981 Golan Heights Law; Egypt–Israel Taba Arbitration Compromise; 1993 Israel–PLO Declaration of Principles; 1994 Israel–Jordan Peace Treaty; 1995 Israel–PLO Interim Agreement (without annexes); 2001 Clinton “Plan”; 2002 Arab League “Peace Initiative”; 2003 “Roadmap”; 2003 “Geneva Initiative”

• Legal Opinion: ICJ Advisory Opinion on the “Wall”

Course Goals

By the end of the course, students will:

• By the end of this 6-week course, learners will be able to:

  1. Understand the historical and legal context of the modern Middle East, including key events, treaties, and resolutions.

  2. Analyze conflicts through the lens of international law, developing a fact-based understanding of territorial disputes, sovereignty, and humanitarian issues.

  3. Interpret primary legal documents and agreements, such as UN resolutions, treaties, and ICJ opinions, to form evidence-based insights.

  4. Apply critical thinking and reasoning skills to assess complex international situations without relying on political bias.

  5. Engage in informed discussions and debates, articulating perspectives thoughtfully and respectfully.

  6. Explore potential pathways for conflict resolution, considering the roles of law, diplomacy, and international institutions in shaping the future of the region.

Teaching Approach

Learners will be engaged through:

• Discussion and debate

• Focused lectures supported by primary source materials

• Audio-visual aids to bring historical moments to life