THE EFFECT OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE POSSIBILITY OF GLOBAL POWER SHIFT

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to appraise the Effect of COVID 19 Pandemic in the Middle East and the
Possibility of Global Power shift. The paper adopts content analysis approach to explore data available
for the study and used realist theory for the paper's framework analysis. The paper concludes that
regional powers such as Turkey and Iran have in recent years sought to harness the prevailing
fragmentation of the global order by asserting leadership role in their respective regions and beyond.
For these states, the Covid-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to bolster their regional and global
presence. While Saudi Arabia and Israel reliance on US protection eclipsed their prospect of been part of
newly emerging regional powers in the region.