Abstract:
The Middle East conflict, despite recent hopes of finding a peaceful resolution, has once again escalated into a dangerous cycle of violence. Recent studies have revealed that about 10,000 people, mostly Palestinians, including a significant number of stone- throwing children and several Israelis, have been killed in a crisis that started since 1948. This study has been designed to critically examine the roles of US towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict. The focus on the US particularly is necessary because, US is seen as the peacemaker par excellence in the Middle East region. It is strongly believed that the Bush’s road map to peace and Obama’s direct talk strategies will make peace a reality in the Israeli- Palestinian crisis. To critically address the issues raised in this study, this work is partitioned into five chapters. Chapter one, which is the introductory phase of the work, focused on the methodological issues of the study. These include; statement of problem, objective of study, significance of study, literature review, theoretical framework and method of data collection- method of data analysis, and research design. Chapter two, US and economic interest in the Middle East was critically analyzed. This includes; US interest in the Middle East crisis, US and oil purchase in the Middle East, and the pursuit of peace: American efforts. Our aim is to determine whether strategic oil interest shape the orientation of US intervention in the Israeli- Palestinian crisis. Chapter three, was used to analyze Israel and the US relations .It includes; Israel the major ally of the US, US economic aid to Israel, and US military aid to Israel. Our aim is to ascertain whether the US government interest in the Israeli- Palestinian crisis is a product of US policy of balance of power in the Middle East. In chapter four, we x-ray Bush and Obama in the Israeli- Palestinian crisis. This includes; Trends of the conflict, Bush and the road map to peace strategy, Obama and the direct talk strategy. The strategies and incidence of armed attacks and suicide bombing in the crisis. Our aim is to find out if there are major differences in Bush and Obama policies in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Finally, in chapter five, we summarize, conclude and made some key recommendations which if adhered to will help in resolving the Israeli- Palestinian crisis.
