How did the Cold War politics influence the rule of authoritarian states in the Middle East?

The Cold War politics significantly bolstered the rule of authoritarian states in the Middle East through superpower support and arms supplies.

During the Cold War, the Middle East became a significant battleground for the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. Both superpowers sought to extend their influence in the region, often by supporting authoritarian regimes that aligned with their respective ideologies. This support often came in the form of military aid, economic assistance, and political backing, which helped to solidify the rule of these authoritarian states.

The United States, for instance, supported authoritarian regimes in countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. In Iran, the US backed the Shah, an authoritarian monarch, in a coup against the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953. This was primarily because Mossadegh had nationalised the Iranian oil industry, which threatened American and British oil interests. The Shah's regime was known for its brutal repression of dissent, but it was also a staunch ally of the US in the Cold War.

Similarly, the Soviet Union also supported authoritarian regimes in the Middle East that aligned with its communist ideology. For example, it provided significant military and economic aid to Syria and Iraq, both of which were ruled by authoritarian Ba'athist regimes. The Soviet Union's support helped these regimes to consolidate their power and suppress opposition.

Moreover, the superpowers' competition for influence in the Middle East often led them to overlook human rights abuses committed by their respective allies. This further enabled the rule of authoritarian states in the region. For instance, the US often turned a blind eye to the human rights abuses committed by its allies, such as the Shah of Iran and the Saudi monarchy, in the interest of maintaining their support in the Cold War.

In addition, the arms race between the superpowers also had a significant impact on the Middle East. Both the US and the Soviet Union supplied their allies in the region with vast amounts of military hardware. This not only fuelled conflicts in the region, such as the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Iran-Iraq War, but also helped to strengthen the military capabilities of authoritarian regimes, thereby further consolidating their rule.

In conclusion, the politics of the Cold War had a profound influence on the rule of authoritarian states in the Middle East. The superpowers' competition for influence in the region, their support for authoritarian regimes, and their supply of arms all helped to bolster the rule of these states. This has had lasting