The overall cause and effect of the arms race and proxy wars in the Middle East and Africa can be explained as follows:
Cause: Geopolitical Rivalries and Ideological Conflicts
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Cold War Influence: The backdrop of the Cold War provided a framework in which superpowers, notably the United States and the Soviet Union, sought to expand their influence through military support for various governments and insurgent groups. This often meant arming opposing sides in regional conflicts.
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Resource Competition: The Middle East, rich in oil, has been a focal point for foreign interests, leading to conflicts over resource control. Similarly, in Africa, valuable minerals and strategic resources have fueled tensions and competition.
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Nationalism and Sectarianism: Many countries in the Middle East and Africa have been shaped by nationalism and sectarian divisions, leading to internal strife and civil wars. External actors often exploited these divisions to gain leverage in the region.
Effect: Destabilization and Prolonged Conflicts
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Increased Militarization: The influx of weapons and military support led to an escalation of conflicts, making them more deadly and prolonging their duration. Countries became heavily militarized, undermining political solutions.
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Humanitarian Crises: Proxy wars and arms races resulted in significant humanitarian challenges, including displacement of populations, loss of life, and destruction of infrastructure, leading to long-term socio-economic difficulties.
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Regional Instability: The legacy of these conflicts has often resulted in unstable political environments, failed states, and the rise of extremist groups, further complicating efforts for peace and development.
In summary, the interconnected causes of geopolitical competition, resource interests, and internal divisions led to an environment where arms races and proxy wars occurred, resulting in prolonged conflicts, humanitarian crises, and unstable states in the Middle East and Africa.