Comprehensive Study Guide on the Arab-Israeli Wars and Modern Geopolitics and the Korean Conflict

Ancient Israel and the Historical Presence in Palestine

The historical origins of the region trace back to the Canaanites and the Hebrew Semitic tribes. Under the leadership of Moses and Joshua, these tribes conquered Palestine approximately around the year $1250\text{ B.C.E.}$ (or cited as $1200\text{ B.C.E.}$). The primary tribal entity was known as the Israelites, or simply Israel. They established a political and religious state on the territory. The kingdom was presided over by several notable monarchs: King Saul, whose reign lasted from $1025$ to $1010\text{ B.C.E.}$; King David, who ruled from $1010$ to $970\text{ B.C.E.}$; and King Solomon (Šalamún), who reigned from $970$ to $930\text{ B.C.E.}$.

The Modern Origin of Conflict and the First Palestinian War

The roots of the modern Middle Eastern conflict were established following World War I. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the British and French established provisional governments over parts of the former imperial territory. Specifically, a British mandate was established in Palestine and Syria after the year $1918$. In $1947$, a pivotal decision by the United Nations (OSN) led to the formal establishment of the State of Israel in the year $1948$.

Immediately following this, the First Palestinian War occurred between $1948$ and $1949$. During this conflict, the Jewish forces emerged victorious and expanded their territorial holdings. For the Arab population, this event is referred to as the "katastrofa" or "Nakba" (the catastrophe). The war resulted in many Arabs leaving the territory. In a parallel geopolitical development, the League of Arab States was founded in $1945$.

The Suez War and the Tripartite Intervention

The Second Arab-Israeli War, or the Suez War, was triggered when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, which had been under British and French control. In response, a coalition consisting of Great Britain, France, and Israel intervened. Israel launched an attack as part of this operation. The ultimate result of the Suez War was significant for regional alignment; Egypt lost its army during the conflict and subsequently began to move closer diplomatically and militarily to Jordan, Syria, and the Soviet Union (ZSSR).

The Six-Day War and the Story of Elie Cohen

The Third Arab-Israeli War, widely known as the 6-Day War, began with an Israeli aerial strike against Egypt. The conflict was preceded by a blockade of the Straits of Tiran, whereby Egypt closed off access to the Red Sea. In the span of just six days, Israel conquered several major areas: the Gaza Strip, the West Bank of the Jordan, Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. To this day, the occupation of the Golan Heights remains a critical post-war issue.

A key figure in the intelligence operations of this era was Elie Cohen, a spy for the Mossad. Cohen operated by posing as a merchant to gather high-level intelligence but was eventually discovered and executed. One of the most significant logistical consequences of the 6-Day War was the closure of the Suez Canal.

The War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War

The Fourth Arab-Israeli War, known as the War of Attrition, took place between $1967$ and $1970$. This conflict involved Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Egypt declared this fight with the specific strategic objective of exhausting Israeli military forces over a prolonged period. This was followed by the Fifth Arab-Israeli War, the Yom Kippur War, in $1973$. This conflict centered once again around the Suez Canal and resulted in very heavy losses for the state of Israel.

The Palestinian Intifadas and Recent Military Operations

The internal conflict between Israel and the Palestinian population has been marked by "Intifadas," or uprisings. The First Intifada was an Arab Palestinian uprising in the territories occupied by Israel, serving as a collective expression of dissatisfaction. The immediate cause or trigger for this uprising was an automobile accident. The Second Intifada, known as the "Al-Aqsa Intifada" (Intifáda al-Aksá), occurred between $2000$ and $2006$. The primary cause was the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, coupled with the existing deep-rooted tension between Palestinians and Israel.

Subsequent military engagements include the Second Lebanon War, which was a conflict between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. In $2021$, tensions continued with a conflict near the Dead Sea, which also saw the beginning or rise of the group Hamas. Most recently, the year $2023$ marked the commencement of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood (Búrka Al-Aksá).

Appendix: Post-WWII Conflict on the Korean Peninsula

Following the conclusion of World War II, the Korean Peninsula, which had been occupied by Japan, was liberated and subsequently occupied by the Soviet Union (ZSSR) and the United States (USA). In $1950$, a major conflict erupted between Northern Korea and Southern Korea. The war began when North Korea attacked the South. In response to this aggression, the United States declared its formal support for South Korea.