Regional power politics and the future of the Two-state solution: Qualitative study of the Israel–Palestine conflict

Abstract

The Israel–Palestine conflict is one of the longest-standing and most intricate issues in international politics, and regional dynamics continue to influence its ongoing development and prospects for a negotiated resolution. The study analyzes the regional power dynamics and their impact on the conflict and their implications for the future of the Two-State Solution. The study used a qualitative approach, adopting elements of Realist theory, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with three political science experts and secondary data analysis of academic literature, policy reports and official documents. The study shows that regional actors play a key role in the conflict in numerous ways, including diplomacy, normalization efforts, security cooperation, humanitarian work, and forming strategic alliances. The so-called "Abraham Accords" have led to greater cooperation in the region, but have not directly tackled the fundamental political issues that have driven the conflict, such as Palestinian statehood, land claims, and sovereignty. The study also underscores that the domestic political polarization, regional conflicts, and diverging strategic agendas remain as impediments to any substantive effort at achieving a negotiated resolution. The Two-State Solution is still the most popular international peace model, but there are increasing political and practical obstacles blocking its adoption. The study adds to the literature by bringing the voice of the experts into the Realist analysis and showing the impact regional power politics have on the continuing nature of the conflict and on the future of the Two-State Solution.