The Peace Congress of Münster and Osnabrück (1643–1648) and the Westphalian Order (1648–1806)

This chapter focuses on the Peace of Westphalia, a result of the first multilateral peace congress, which ended most of the numerous sets of conflict constituting the Thirty Years War (the Franco-Spanish war continued and renewed war in the Baltic erupted in the later 1650s). An explanation of why it took so long to end the war and to achieve peace is proffered. The aftermath of Westphalia will also be discussed, including the successful application of its mutual guarantee clauses as a system of collective security for central Europe.

Parallels and Analogies

This chapter shifts towards the explicitly applicatory part of the book. The parallels and analogies between the Thirty Years War and the contemporary Middle East are systematically expounded. The similarities include structural parallels (such as the complexity and multiple typologies of conflict; contested sovereignty leading to civil war; sequences of escalation with proxy wars escalating to direct military intervention; overarching great power rivalry and realpolitik; state-building wars and the absence of declarations of war), the role of religion and sectarian animosity, the role of monarchy and dynasty, refugees, communications technology, and general atmospheric parallels

Challenges and Crises in the Middle East

This chapter addresses the nature of the Middle East crisis of recent years, the set of conflicts that require a fresh perspective towards a solution. It is argued that the geopolitical security problems in the Middle East can be grouped under three headings: a crisis of legitimacy; Saudi-Iranian dualism and great power rivalry; sectarianism.

From Religious Peace to the Thirty Years War

This chapter delves into the European historical background in depth, while highlighting the relevant parallels to the Middle East. It addresses the causes of the outbreak of the Thirty Years War and the origins of the war’s incremental escalation. It will outline the interventions by Denmark and Sweden (1625 and 1630) into the war, as well as the French intervention against Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor in 1635, after which the war became irreversibly internationalised

Lessons for the Middle East

The analogies and parallels outlined in the preceding chapter for the basis of the application of lessons from the Thirty Years War and the Peace of Westphalia to the Middle East. This chapter outlines in detail the two main kinds of lessons that can be drawn for the benefit of peace in the Middle East, namely diplomatic techniques and mechanisms on the one hand, and treaty content on the other. Finally, the broad outlines of a new Westphalian regional order for the Middle East are suggested.

Introduction

The introductory chapter addresses some of the main themes of the book. These include the importance of using history to inform current debates and possibly provide solutions to geopolitical security challenges today. The parallels that exist between the Thirty Years War and current conflicts in the Middle East are also addressed. The chapter outlines the project and events series out of which the book arose, and describes the achievements of Westphalia, while also explaining why it is well suited as an inspiration for a possible new peace settlement in the Middle East. The chapter also debunks the widespread myths surrounding the treaties of Westphalia inherent in the concept of the ‘Westphalian system’, and explains what the Holy Roman Empire was – the main focus of the Thirty Years War.