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Sharing Important Middle-East Places in News for UPSC Prelims 2024
A Thread🧵
Sharing Important Middle-East Places in News for UPSC Prelims 2024
A Thread🧵
Israel (Capital: Jerusalem)
Why in News?: The Israel-Palestine conflict has seen renewed tensions. Recently, Hamas mounted a scathing attack on Israel, leading to multiple casualties and reviving the century-old dispute. Additionally, Iran launched a significant attack on Israel, deploying over 300 projectiles, including drones and missiles, in retaliation for a strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus
Context: Israel declared war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas under Operation Iron Swords, following their unprecedented attack under Operation Toofan Al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa Flood).
Land Borders: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee.
Places in News: Jerusalem
Why in News?: The Israel-Palestine conflict has seen renewed tensions. Recently, Hamas mounted a scathing attack on Israel, leading to multiple casualties and reviving the century-old dispute. Additionally, Iran launched a significant attack on Israel, deploying over 300 projectiles, including drones and missiles, in retaliation for a strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus
Context: Israel declared war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas under Operation Iron Swords, following their unprecedented attack under Operation Toofan Al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa Flood).
Land Borders: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee.
Places in News: Jerusalem
Palestine (Capital: Ramallah, Administrative Center)
Context: The State of Palestine, recognized by many UN member states, is in a territorial dispute with Israel. It consists of two territories: the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Why in News?: Palestine has been in the news due to ongoing tensions with Israel, particularly concerning the status of Jerusalem and the recognition of statehood. India recently backed Palestine’s bid for full UN membership. Also, Conflicts and humanitarian crises frequently occur in Gaza City.
Countries Recognised as State: Norway, Spain and Ireland with 145 Countries
Land Borders: Israel, Egypt, Jordan.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea.
Places in News: Gaza City, Ramallah
Context: The State of Palestine, recognized by many UN member states, is in a territorial dispute with Israel. It consists of two territories: the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Why in News?: Palestine has been in the news due to ongoing tensions with Israel, particularly concerning the status of Jerusalem and the recognition of statehood. India recently backed Palestine’s bid for full UN membership. Also, Conflicts and humanitarian crises frequently occur in Gaza City.
Countries Recognised as State: Norway, Spain and Ireland with 145 Countries
Land Borders: Israel, Egypt, Jordan.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea.
Places in News: Gaza City, Ramallah
Syria (Capital: Damascus)
Context: Syria’s ongoing civil war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the involvement of various international actors.
Why in News?: Syria has been in the news for the continuing conflict, with recent airstrikes by foreign powers against militant targets within the country.
Land Borders: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea.
Places in News: Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib, Raqqa.
Context: Syria’s ongoing civil war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the involvement of various international actors.
Why in News?: Syria has been in the news for the continuing conflict, with recent airstrikes by foreign powers against militant targets within the country.
Land Borders: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea.
Places in News: Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib, Raqqa.
Yemen (Capital: Sanaa)
Context: Yemen is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between the government and Houthi rebels.
Why in News?: The conflict in Yemen has been highlighted due to attacks on civilian areas and the dire humanitarian situation, drawing international calls for a ceasefire and peace talks.
Land Borders: Saudi Arabia, Oman.
Water Bodies: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea.
Places in News: Sana'a, Aden, Hodeidah
Context: Yemen is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between the government and Houthi rebels.
Why in News?: The conflict in Yemen has been highlighted due to attacks on civilian areas and the dire humanitarian situation, drawing international calls for a ceasefire and peace talks.
Land Borders: Saudi Arabia, Oman.
Water Bodies: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea.
Places in News: Sana'a, Aden, Hodeidah
Iraq (Capital: Baghdad)
Context: Post-US invasion, Iraq is dealing with political instability and efforts to rebuild the nation.
Why in News?: Iraq has been in the news for its recovery efforts in cities like Mosul and the end of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), marking a significant transition.
Land Borders: Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria.
Water Bodies: Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Baghdad, Mosul,Basra
Context: Post-US invasion, Iraq is dealing with political instability and efforts to rebuild the nation.
Why in News?: Iraq has been in the news for its recovery efforts in cities like Mosul and the end of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), marking a significant transition.
Land Borders: Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria.
Water Bodies: Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Baghdad, Mosul,Basra
Lebanon (Capital: Beirut)
Context: Lebanon is facing an economic crisis, compounded by political instability and refugee influxes.
Why in News?: Lebanon has been in the news for the maritime border deal with Israel and the economic challenges it faces.
Land Borders: Syria, Israel.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea.
Places in News: Beirut, Tripoli.
Context: Lebanon is facing an economic crisis, compounded by political instability and refugee influxes.
Why in News?: Lebanon has been in the news for the maritime border deal with Israel and the economic challenges it faces.
Land Borders: Syria, Israel.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea.
Places in News: Beirut, Tripoli.
Iran (Capital: Tehran)
Context: Iran is involved in regional power dynamics and faces international scrutiny over its nuclear program.
Why in News?: Iran’s nuclear program negotiations and economic activities despite sanctions have kept it in the news. Also, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Helicopter Crash.
Land Borders: Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan.
Water Bodies: Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman.
Places in News: Tehran, Qom, Isfahan
Context: Iran is involved in regional power dynamics and faces international scrutiny over its nuclear program.
Why in News?: Iran’s nuclear program negotiations and economic activities despite sanctions have kept it in the news. Also, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Helicopter Crash.
Land Borders: Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan.
Water Bodies: Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman.
Places in News: Tehran, Qom, Isfahan
Saudi Arabia (Capital: Riyadh)
Context: Saudi Arabia is a major oil producer and plays a significant role in regional and Islamic affairs.
Why in News?: Saudi Arabia’s strategic partnerships and investment plans, especially with India, have been in focus.
Land Borders: Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen.
Water Bodies: Red Sea, Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Riyadh, Jeddah, Neom
Context: Saudi Arabia is a major oil producer and plays a significant role in regional and Islamic affairs.
Why in News?: Saudi Arabia’s strategic partnerships and investment plans, especially with India, have been in focus.
Land Borders: Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen.
Water Bodies: Red Sea, Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Riyadh, Jeddah, Neom
United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Capital: Abu Dhabi)
Context: The UAE is a federation of seven emirates and a significant economic hub in the region.
Why in News?: The UAE’s economic agreements, such as the CEPA with India, have been in the news.
Land Borders: Saudi Arabia, Oman.
Water Bodies: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman.
Places in News: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Context: The UAE is a federation of seven emirates and a significant economic hub in the region.
Why in News?: The UAE’s economic agreements, such as the CEPA with India, have been in the news.
Land Borders: Saudi Arabia, Oman.
Water Bodies: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman.
Places in News: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Qatar (Capital: Doha)
Context: Qatar is known for its natural gas reserves and for hosting international events.
Why in News?: Qatar’s role as a primary LNG supplier to India and its hosting of the FIFA World Cup has kept it in the news.
Land Borders: Saudi Arabia.
Water Bodies: Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Doha
Context: Qatar is known for its natural gas reserves and for hosting international events.
Why in News?: Qatar’s role as a primary LNG supplier to India and its hosting of the FIFA World Cup has kept it in the news.
Land Borders: Saudi Arabia.
Water Bodies: Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Doha
Jordan (Capital: Amman)
Context: Jordan is a stable kingdom that has absorbed refugees from regional conflicts.
Why in News?: Jordan’s diplomatic efforts in balancing relations in the Middle East have been noteworthy.
Land Borders: Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine (West Bank).
Water Bodies: Dead Sea.
Places in News: Amman
Context: Jordan is a stable kingdom that has absorbed refugees from regional conflicts.
Why in News?: Jordan’s diplomatic efforts in balancing relations in the Middle East have been noteworthy.
Land Borders: Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine (West Bank).
Water Bodies: Dead Sea.
Places in News: Amman
Turkey (Capital: Ankara)
Context: Turkey is a transcontinental country with a rich history and strategic location.
Why in News?: Turkey’s response to natural disasters like earthquakes and its regional diplomatic activities have been in the news.
Land Borders: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria.
Water Bodies: Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea.
Context: Turkey is a transcontinental country with a rich history and strategic location.
Why in News?: Turkey’s response to natural disasters like earthquakes and its regional diplomatic activities have been in the news.
Land Borders: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria.
Water Bodies: Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea.
Oman (Capital: Muscat)
Context: Oman is known for its historic trading links and regional diplomatic role.
Why in News?: Oman’s diplomatic initiatives and regional security discussions have been significant.
Land Borders: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen.
Water Bodies: Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Muscat
Context: Oman is known for its historic trading links and regional diplomatic role.
Why in News?: Oman’s diplomatic initiatives and regional security discussions have been significant.
Land Borders: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen.
Water Bodies: Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf.
Places in News: Muscat
Egypt (Capital: Cairo)
Context: Egypt has a rich history and controls strategic waterways like the Suez Canal.
Why in News?: Egypt’s strategic position and involvement in regional security have kept it in the news.
Land Borders: Libya, Sudan, Israel.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea.
Places in News: Cairo, Alexandria
Context: Egypt has a rich history and controls strategic waterways like the Suez Canal.
Why in News?: Egypt’s strategic position and involvement in regional security have kept it in the news.
Land Borders: Libya, Sudan, Israel.
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea.
Places in News: Cairo, Alexandria
Sudan (Capital: Khartoum)
Context: Sudan is undergoing a political transition and economic challenges after the secession of South Sudan.
Why in News?: Sudan’s political transition and economic challenges have been a focus of international concern.
Land Borders: Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea.
Water Bodies: Red Sea.
Places in News: Khartoum
Context: Sudan is undergoing a political transition and economic challenges after the secession of South Sudan.
Why in News?: Sudan’s political transition and economic challenges have been a focus of international concern.
Land Borders: Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea.
Water Bodies: Red Sea.
Places in News: Khartoum
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