Recent history
Britain has enjoyed close relationships across the Middle Eastern region for centuries through religion, trade, investment and culture. It is therefore no surprise that as the home of the Accordists, the ‘British Angle’ plays a strong background role in supporting moves towards peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
The pre-eminent global power a century ago, the British Empire reaching its peak by territorial area in 1922, it is unsurprising that Britain had a major historical role in the region.
This was most notable regarding the Balfour Declaration in 1917, followed by the 1920 League of Nations Mandate whereby Britain took over responsibility from the Ottoman Empire for administering Palestine and Transjordan.
Later, Britain withdrew from its colonies after the Suez Crisis in 1956, eventually celebrating the full independance of the Gulf States between 1961 and 1971.
Current involvement
The remaining British territories in the region are the hundred square miles of British Overseas Territories in the Republic of Cyprus – Akrotiri and Dhekelia – whose military bases have since 1960 played an important role in regional security.
Aside from military involvement, Britain as a G7 leading economic power has trade and active investment partnerships, inward and outward, with Middle Eastern states and also significant mutual tourism and cultural exchange.
Diplomatically Britain as a permanent member of the UN’s Security Council with a veto has supported Middle Eastern peace and prosperity through international bodies and through encouraging multilateral efforts such as the Abraham Accords.
Middle Eastern matters, often relating to Israel, are of great importance to many Britons, prompting large demonstrations. Differing views influence domestic voting intentions and has even resulted in creation of single-issue parties. Therefore the policy positions of different political parties, and the priority of Middle East issues fluctuates.
Accordists are for open free debate of all issues in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for all the people of the Middle East. We progress understanding through providing better and more direct access to independent information sources through our Indices, News and Resource Hub sections, including our own opinion polling. We offer access to varied points of view and analysis through our perspectives section.