| Introduction | | | | The situation is also worsened by the autocratic |
| The relationship between countries in the Persian Gulf | | | | system prevailing in most countries within the Persian |
| and that one between the latter countries and other | | | | Gulf. Most positions of authority within these |
| western countries has been marred by tension and | | | | countries are dominated by specific royal families. This |
| conflicts. Part of the reason for this could be the | | | | undermines the will of the people because they are |
| religious misunderstandings that exist between them. | | | | subject to laws passed by those specific countries. |
| Additionally, countries could be trying to protect their | | | | Additionally, their political elections are usually |
| resources. It is no mystery that the Persian Gulf is | | | | characterized by excess tensions where there is a |
| fundamental o the world for trading purposes but it | | | | battle for supremacy among varying groups. |
| also serves as link between other important parts of | | | | (Musharraf, 1999) |
| the world. For instance, the Gulf is a link between | | | | The international world has not closed their eyes to |
| African and Asia. It also provides a link between | | | | the goings on in these countries. This is part of the |
| parts of Asia and Europe. | | | | reason why the US and its allies have conducted |
| Social issues in the Persian Gulf | | | | arms wars within these countries and the most |
| Recent estimates have shown that the Persian Gulf | | | | outstanding one being Iraq. This outside interference |
| region has one of the highest population growth | | | | has polarized the Persian Gulf even more because the |
| rates in the world. Research has shown that majority | | | | heads have turned to countries invading them. Many |
| of the citizens happen o b the youth. The youth are | | | | experts have argued that the approach being used |
| a lot that may have certain difficulties in adjusting to | | | | currently by the international community is |
| social change within that region. Additionally, there are | | | | inappropriate (invasion of the region). They instead |
| problems with employment and other economic | | | | argue for more peaceful resolutions. |
| crises that may arise out of this youth outburst. | | | | Economic issues in the Persian Gulf |
| Political transformations are also affected by the | | | | The Persian Gulf harbors about sixty seven percent |
| demographics of the regions. (Kartha, 1999) | | | | of all the oil reserves in the world and it is also a |
| In the year 2007, it was found that the population in | | | | known fact that fossil fuels are the number one fuel |
| the Persian Gulf stands at 430 million. Researchers | | | | sources in the world. One can therefore not ignore |
| have projected that the population will almost double | | | | the crucial role that this region’s economy plays |
| by the year 2050. This means that there is an | | | | to the rest of the world. (Mulik, 2003) |
| overwhelming number of youth currently. Most of | | | | Another issue facing the countries in the Persian Gulf |
| them lie between the ages of ten and twenty four. | | | | region is their battle with economic depression and |
| A similar survey found that a third of the population | | | | high inflation rates. Those considering doing business |
| lie between the ages listed above. This means that | | | | in these countries may be face with numerous |
| these youth could continue propagating the | | | | challenges of coping with these influxes. |
| population. A certain number of issues arise from | | | | Opportunities for trade by Australia |
| these statistics. First of all, the overwhelming | | | | There are about ninety two billion barrels of crude oil |
| numbers of youth cannot be absorbed by the | | | | reserves that are yet to be tapped by the |
| regions’ employment opportunities. These youth | | | | International community (including Australia). In Iran, it |
| need to gain access to training and jobs but the | | | | was found in the year 2006 that there are about six |
| region cannot provide this. | | | | hundred trillion cubic feet of untapped gas reserves |
| Part of the reason why unemployment is high for the | | | | found there. This country is one of the most |
| youth is the fact that there are certain prevalent | | | | resourceful in the world. Australia needs to take |
| systems that impede their access to these jobs. First | | | | advantage of this by establishment of an oil |
| and foremost, there are certain institutional | | | | exploration project within that region or Iran |
| impediments i.e. government entitlements that | | | | specifically. One must not underestimate the fact |
| currently exist. Secondly, political instability makes it | | | | that the country under consideration is strategically |
| difficult to provide jobs for the youth. There is also a | | | | located within the region. It is found between the |
| high level of mismatch within jobs. Additionally, more | | | | Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Therefore Australia |
| companies tend o recruit foreigners; this is highlighted | | | | stands to connect to the rest of the world by |
| by the fact that about fifty percent of workers in | | | | establishment of exploration rights within the Persian |
| the Persian Gulf region are foreigners. Therefore the | | | | Gulf. |
| countries in the Persian Gulf have to deal with the | | | | However, in light of all the problems enlisted above, |
| fact that most of them lack the ability to provide | | | | there is a need to incorporate this while establishing a |
| employment for their youth. (Beaty, 2004) | | | | company there. Australian employers wishing to wok |
| Religion is also another fundamental issue that affects | | | | in the Persian Gulf need to prepare for the politician |
| the world’s population. This is because the | | | | and social problems prevailing in the region. First of all, |
| Persian Gulf has the highest following of Muslim | | | | the political tensions mean that there are there could |
| faithful in the world. They have played a role in the | | | | be a lot of risk involved. Entrepreneurs need to |
| shaping of the world’s history through their | | | | inform their employees before hand of the situation. |
| religion. This is also topped up by the fact that they | | | | (Brig, 1999) They also need to be in constant |
| have some of the oldest buildings. It should however | | | | communication with Australian representatives in the |
| be noted that despite the fact that the countries in | | | | region so as to evacuate whenever there is need to |
| the Persian Gulf are predominantly Muslim, there are | | | | do so. Employers need to make sure that they do |
| also other religions found there and these include; | | | | not take sides in the prevailing local tensions so as to |
| Judaism and Christianity. Most people speak Arabic | | | | minimize friction between the two types of |
| but there are others who speak other languages. | | | | communities. |
| The main problem that has arisen out of their | | | | Australia should also take advantage of the large |
| religious demographics is terrorism and religious | | | | youth population complaining of unemployment. |
| tensions. The tensions occur as a result of religious | | | | Because there is a need to recruit skilled personnel, |
| extremism within the faith. Some followers choose to | | | | Australian employers could provide training |
| interpret thir holy teachings in a radical manner and | | | | opportunities for the local population in order to save |
| may consider non-adherents as enemies that need to | | | | on costs, stimulate goodwill from the locals and to |
| be eradicated. This is the reason why there are | | | | enhance thir economic situation. |
| numerous terrorist organizations in the Persian Gulf | | | | Conclusion |
| that have been created with the sole purpose of | | | | The Persian Gulf has been characterized by numerous |
| eliminating western countries. These extremist groups | | | | cases of political and social clashes. However, this |
| believe that the US, UK and other western countries | | | | does not undermine the economic opportunities |
| are eroding Muslim traditions and are therefore | | | | present in those countries. Australia can take |
| enemies to the Muslim faith. Tensions are not only | | | | advantage of their oil reserves to establish oil mining |
| prevalent between the latter groups but they also | | | | facilities in those countries. It could also embrace the |
| exist between the Persian Gulf countries themselves. | | | | large youth population in the process of labor |
| This is because there are factions within the Muslim | | | | provision. This will reduce cost and stimulate growth |
| faith i.e. the Sunnis and Shiites. These groups have | | | | within the region. |
| been fighting one another for years on end and this | | | | Reference: |
| has contributed to the volatile situation prevalent in | | | | Kartha, T. (1999): Tools of Terror: Light Weapons |
| the Persian Gulf today. (Ghorban, 2004) | | | | and Indian Security; New Delhi: Knowledge World |
| Political issues in the Persian Gulf | | | | Publishers |
| The Political problems facing the countries in the | | | | Brig. S. (1999): The Quranic Concept of War; Lahore: |
| Persian Gulf are linked to the social and economic | | | | Wajidalis |
| issues prevailing. Most countries in the Persian Gulf | | | | Mulik, T. (2003): Natural Gas: Imports to Meet Supply |
| have been categorized as undemocratic. This is | | | | Gap: The Persian Gulf Survey, p 161 |
| because there is a continuous battle between the | | | | Ghorban, N. (2004): Middle East Natural Gas Pipeline |
| Shiite and Sunni factions of their parliament. For | | | | Projects: Myth and Reality; The Iranian Journal of |
| example, in Iran their parliament is divided on the | | | | International Affairs, p.649 |
| basis of their religious following. Whenever one | | | | Beaty, J. (2004): The Outlaw Bank; New York: |
| faction wins an election, it is common to find that the | | | | Random House |
| other’s opinions and views will be suppressed at | | | | Musharraf, P. |
| all costs. | | | | |