PLO IN PEACE DILEMMA

This analytical study examines the strategic dilemmas facing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the Middle East peace process during the early 1980s. The article explores how the PLO navigates competing pressures from Arab states, internal Palestinian factions, and international actors while seeking to advance Palestinian national objectives. The research investigates the evolution of PLO strategy from armed struggle to political engagement and analyzes the organizational and ideological challenges of this transition. The study examines specific dilemmas including the recognition of Israel, negotiation frameworks, representation issues, and the relationship with Jordan and other Arab actors. The article assesses how the PLO balances revolutionary credentials with diplomatic pragmatism and analyzes the impact of internal divisions on strategic coherence. The research also evaluates the PLO's position in the aftermath of the Lebanon war and considers potential pathways for advancing Palestinian interests in the changing regional landscape.

The Palestine Liberation Organization faced profound strategic dilemmas in the early 1980s, with this article providing a comprehensive examination of its position in the Middle East peace process. The research begins by tracing the historical evolution of PLO strategy, from the emphasis on armed struggle in the 1960s and 1970s to emerging political engagement in the early 1980s. The analysis explores the organizational structure of the PLO, examining how different factions with varying ideologies and external relationships influenced strategic decision-making and coherence. The article investigates the PLO's relationship with Arab states, analyzing how dependencies on Arab funding and political support constrained strategic autonomy while providing necessary resources. The study examines the impact of the Lebanon war and subsequent PLO evacuation from Beirut on organizational capabilities, morale, and strategic options. The research assesses the PLO's engagement with international diplomacy, including relationships with Western governments, the United Nations, and various mediation efforts. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes the fundamental dilemmas facing the PLO regarding recognition of Israel, negotiation frameworks, representation claims, and the balance between armed struggle and political engagement. The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of national liberation movements transitioning to political actors and contribute to understanding how asymmetric conflicts evolve in protracted negotiation processes.