WAR PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES: ANALYSING THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) REGION

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION global landscape. Known for its vast reserves of oil Context and Background and natural gas, the GCC region plays a crucial role The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, in the global energy market, supplying a significant consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi portion of the world’s fossil fuel needs (British Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a Petroleum, 2016). However, the region's strategic geopolitically and economically pivotal area in the importance goes beyond its energy resources; it https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajmei 64 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS INNOVATIONS (ISSN- 2693-0811) VOLUME 06 ISSUE08 has also been a focal point for geopolitical tensions the ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused and conflicts for several decades. These conflicts widespread destruction of infrastructure, leading have not only shaped the political and economic to significant environmental challenges, including dynamics of the region but have also had profound water scarcity, land degradation, and pollution (Al- and lasting effects on its environment (Saleh, 2014; Duais, 2018). Abulibdeh, Zaidan, & Al-Saidi, 2019). The environmental consequences of these conflicts The GCC region’s environmental landscape is extend far beyond the immediate damage caused characterized by its extreme aridity, with vast during the hostilities. The disruption of desert areas, limited freshwater resources, and a ecosystems, contamination of soil and water, and high dependency on desalination for water supply degradation of natural resources have long-term (Al-Saidi & Saliba, 2019). The region's ecosystems impacts that persist for decades, affecting the are fragile and highly sensitive to external livelihoods of local populations and the overall stressors. The harsh climate, characterized by sustainability of the region (Al-Saidi & Elagib, extreme temperatures, low rainfall, and high 2018). In the GCC, where the environment is evaporation rates, makes the natural environment already under significant stress due to natural particularly vulnerable to degradation (Burt, factors and rapid economic development, the 2014). In such an environment, the impact of additional burden of war-related environmental military conflicts, which often involve the use of damage exacerbates existing challenges, making destructive technologies and tactics, can be recovery and rehabilitation efforts even more particularly devastating (Burt et al., 2017; Ben- difficult (Al-Saidi & Hefny, 2018). Hasan & Christensen, 2019). Moreover, the environmental impact of war in the Throughout its modern history, the GCC region has GCC is not confined to physical degradation alone. witnessed several major conflicts that have had The social and economic dimensions of significant environmental repercussions. The Iran- environmental damage are also significant. Iraq War (1980-1988), one of the longest Conflicts in the region have led to large-scale conventional wars of the 20th century, saw the displacement of populations, placing additional extensive use of chemical weapons, artillery pressure on already scarce resources such as water bombardments, and the deliberate destruction of and arable land (Sale et al., 2011). The destruction infrastructure, all of which contributed to severe of infrastructure, including water treatment plants, environmental degradation (Shubber, 2009). The irrigation systems, and waste management Gulf War of 1990-1991, triggered by Iraq's invasion facilities, has disrupted essential services, leading of Kuwait, resulted in one of the largest oil spills in to public health crises and further environmental history, caused by the deliberate release of oil into degradation (Ben-Hasan & Christensen, 2019). The the Persian Gulf and the igniting of Kuwaiti oil wells economic costs associated with environmental by retreating Iraqi forces (Sadiq & McCain, 1993). damage are substantial, affecting not only the The Iraq War (2003), led by a coalition of Western immediate post-conflict recovery but also the long- nations, further compounded the environmental term economic stability and development damage in the region, particularly through the use prospects of the affected countries (Al-Azzawi & Al- of depleted uranium munitions, which have had Mousawi, 2007). long-term consequences for soil and water quality Despite the severity of these impacts, (Al-Azzawi & Al-Mousawi, 2007). More recently, environmental considerations have often been https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajmei 65 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS INNOVATIONS (ISSN- 2693-0811) VOLUME 06 ISSUE08 overlooked in the planning and execution of dimensions of war, this study aims to contribute to military operations in the GCC. Historically, a more holistic understanding of the impacts of military strategies have prioritized immediate conflict, which is essential for informing fu