In the Middle East, there has been a surge in volatility, marked by an ongoing escalation of conflict sparked by Hamas attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza. This conflict is unfolding across multiple fronts, spanning from Israel to Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the Red Sea. It has created an unspoken regional war scenario, exacerbating the security crisis in the region and posing a continuous threat to human security.
Human security can be described as “the liberation of human beings from those intense, extensive, prolonged, and comprehensive threats to which their lives and freedom are vulnerable,” as emphasized in the 1994 worldwide Human Development Report supported by UNDP.
The pervasive lack of human security persistently impedes human development. It stems from the depletion of natural resources due to mounting pressure, rapid population growth rates, and accelerated climate change. These factors too pose significant threats to the livelihoods, incomes, and access to food and shelter for millions in the Middle East.
The concept of Human Security compression envisions security measures aimed at addressing a diverse array of threats experienced by individuals and communities. Yet, it acknowledges the context-specific nature of fear and threats, recognizing that these vary from one location to another. Thus, it advocates for an integrated and bottom-up approach that involves grassroots engagement.
Consequently, responses and strategies must possess the flexibility to adapt as circumstances change to remain pertinent. Advocating for a fresh perspective on security, emphasizing the importance of identifying who requires protection and how security is attained and managed. It asserts that security extends beyond mere weaponry and territorial control, encompassing broader dimensions.
Despite the fact that there are many differing definitions of human security around the world, there are some notable distinctions between the concepts of human security in the West and the East.
According to Sverre Lodgaard from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, the definition of human security should be more focused and distinct. Unlike others, he proposes that it should not encompass human development, nor should it address natural disasters or other pervasive human issues like hunger, disease, and environmental pollution.
In his view, the primary defining criterion of human security is ‘vulnerability to physical violence during conflict. The shared foundation between the two concepts of human security remains central, whatever the range of distinctions surrounding it. The crucial components and functions of soft power—such as culture, language, values, and ideas—remain crucial in the context of Canada’s approach to human security.
This is especially true when addressing the four freedoms that the United Nations has defined – such as freedom from fear and freedom from want. Where ‘want’ is interpreted as a need, how would one go about getting their next meal, clothes, and so on?
The eastern definition of human security emphasizes being region-specific, meaning that people’s fears and concerns differ depending on where they live and what kind of challenges they encounter. This is because human security aims to address a wide range of threats experienced by individuals and groups.
Situating Middle East Tension with Human Security
The Middle East is engulfed in volatile conflicts such as proxy wars and the Israel-Hamas conflict, etc. leading to disturbing reports of severe human rights violations. This situation makes it incredibly challenging to ensure human security. For example, the tactic of starving civilians by blocking the delivery of essential resources like water, food, and fuel has been employed in conflicts for centuries. Starvation and malnutrition offer several advantages to the attacker. At the tactical level, it hampers the enemy’s mobility, disrupts their ability to maintain law and order due to scarcity of essential food supplies, and undermines their morale and willingness to continue fighting. Moreover, the capacity for physical combat is likely to deteriorate. Additionally, weakened bodies are more vulnerable to disease, and the lack of essential nutrients intensifies feelings of fear and hopelessness. Another significant escalation in the conflict arose when the underlying tensions between Iran and Israel manifested overtly in a direct and highly destructive manner.