HERMINE HOVHANNISYAN
Saudi Arabia were involved , Saudi Arabia ’ s image was severely tarnished in the international arena , which , in its turn , caused a deterioration of the Kingdom ’ s relations with the United States . In order to defuse the tension and improve the situation , Crown Prince Abdullah came up with another comprehensive peace plan between the two sides in 2002 , as a friendly gesture toward Israel . Particularly , “ it did not mention the refugee problem and did not mandate Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders ”. 17 However , this one was also doomed to failure as Israel again rejected it . Inconsistent relations continued till 2006 when they both were confronted by the Iranian nuclear threat .
Contextualizing the balance of power theory
The balance of power theory has played a crucial role in the thinking of IR , as it is considered one of the oldest , most fundamental and enduring theories of IR . 1819 The role of the balance of power in IR was extensively applied by the prominent international relations theorist Henry Kissinger . He believed that this theory is the best guarantee for peace among states . 20 Some political scientists and scholars of IR claim that the theory of balance of power has different , sometimes vague , sometimes contradictory meanings . Most notably , Hans Morgenthau , a prominent exponent of the balance of power theory , in his famous book , “ Politics among Nations ”, suggested four different definitions of the balance of power : “ i . an approximately equal distribution of power internationally , ii . a policy aimed at bringing about certain power distribution , iii . a term describing any distribution of political power in international relations , iv . a description of any actual state of affairs in international politics .” 21 Philipp W . Schroeder also found several diverse meanings for a balance of power : “ i . an even or balanced distribution of power , ii . any existing distribution of power , iii . any existing general situation or status quo , with no particular regard to power relations , iv . stability , peace , and repose , v . the rule of law and guaranteed rights , vi . Hegemony .” 22 These two approaches allow us to suggest that they both
17
Elie Podeh , “ Israel and the Arab Peace Initiative , 2002-2014 : A Plausible Missed Opportunity ,” Middle East Journal 68 , no . 4 , ( 2014 ): 590 .
18
Kenneth N . Waltz , Theory of International Politics ( Boston : Addison-Wesley , 1979 ).
19
John Mearsheimer , The Tragedy of Great Power Politics ( New York : Norton , 2001 ).
20
Henry Kissinger , World Order , ( New York : Penguin Press , 2014 ).
21
Hans Morgenthau , Politics among nations : the struggle for power and peace , ( New York : Alfred A . Knopf , 1948 ), 125 .
22
Paul W . Schroeder , “ The nineteenth century system : balance of power or political equilibrium ?” Review of International Studies 15 , no . 2 , ( 1989 ): 137 .
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