This is the second lecture in a series exploring the hidden dynamics of the Middle East. The Middle East is fundamentally characterized by a Hobbesian state of nature, where survival and self-preservation drive political interactions. Each actor - be it a state, ethnic group, or non-state entity - perceives its neighbors as potential existential threats, leading to a perpetual strategic dance of power, alliance-building, and deterrence. This video attempts to explain how this Hobbesian mentality is the key to understanding political events in the Middle East, and how each player in the Middle East is adapting in such mentality.
