Africa and the Middle East: Maps of Conflict in the New World Order
(Translated)
Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 602 - 03/06/2026
By: Ustadh Nabil Abdel Karim

In a rapidly changing world, the battles for international influence are no longer solely about borders and armies. Energy has become the hidden driver of major conflicts. For decades, the Middle East, particularly the Gulf and Iran, has been at the heart of this global struggle, with attention focused on oil and its vital shipping lanes.

However, with accelerating geopolitical shifts and the changing nature of the global economy, the compass of international competition seems to be moving towards another continent possessing immense wealth and unprecedented strategic potential: Africa.

The African continent is no longer merely an emerging market or a geographical periphery far removed from centers of power. It has become a global reservoir of energy and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) upon which the industries of the future depend, from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence and military technology. With the potential for some traditional conflicts in the Middle East to subside, a fundamental question arises: Will Africa become the new arena for international conflict over energy and the resources of the 21st century? Of course, this transformation isn't solely about oil, but rather a broader struggle for influence, strategic waterways, and minerals that will shape global power in the coming decades.

Therefore, the African continent is poised to become a center of competition between major powers, and perhaps the most dangerous arena for future conflicts. We are witnessing the beginning of a shift towards a flexible bipolarity, though not in the classical sense.

For decades, the Arabian Gulf has remained a global center of gravity due to its vast oil reserves and its control over vital maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global energy trade passes. Major powers have historically viewed the security of the industrialized world as directly linked to the stability of this region. However, recent events have destabilized the region, and it is in the interest of the West, particularly the United States, to maintain this instability. The West perceives this region as fertile ground for the resurgence of Islam, and is working to weaken it by dividing major regional powers, impoverishing some Gulf states, and maintaining American control over and near-closure of key straits. All of this will push the world towards secure energy sources outside this region.

Other factors are driving greater interest in the continent, including:

Firstly: The Changing Nature of Energy Globally

In the 20th century, oil reigned supreme. Today, the world is entering a different era based on electric vehicles, giant batteries, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced technological industries. All these industries require strategic minerals more than oil alone - cobalt, lithium, nickel, copper, and the seventeen Rare Earth Elements (REEs). This explains why the African continent has emerged on the radar of major powers, as it possesses a significant share of these resources.

Secondly: The Decline of the Gulf's Energy Monopoly

While the Gulf will remain important, the world is beginning to reduce its exclusive dependence on it due to the diversification of global energy sources and the expansion of gas production in new regions. We must also consider America's efforts to promote its shale oil, as seen in the US-China agreement, whereby America will supply oil to China. All of this stems from the world's reluctance to tie its economic security to a single, highly volatile region—precisely what America desires.

Thirdly: Africa Remains an Open Arena for Competition

In the Gulf, political and military influence has been virtually settled for decades. Africa, however, remains an unstable sphere of influence, rich in untapped resources, and plagued by political fragility in most of its countries. It is also less saturated with traditional bases and alliances, giving major powers an opportunity to build new, long-term influence.

Fourthly: Africa’s Geographical Location

Africa not only possesses valuable resources but also controls strategic maritime passages such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Suez Canal, and coastlines on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Controlling Africa means influencing global trade and energy routes.

Fifthly: The Coming Conflict Will Be Over the Minerals of the Future

America, China, and Europe realize that whoever controls African minerals will possess immense economic and technological superiority. Most of the world’s cobalt reserves are located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa is the richest region in Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and Niger is teeming with uranium, not to mention the vast gas reserves in Mozambique. Therefore, Africa is directly linked to the industries of the future, not just to supplying the world with traditional fuels. Therefore, we find the world trying to distance itself from the Middle East conflicts that have exhausted it, and seeking regions that are less costly politically and militarily, and more conducive to building economic influence rather than direct military intervention.

The major powers are not currently moving towards the Gulf, not because oil is unimportant, but because the world has entered a new phase in which conflicts are no longer solely about oil, but also about energy, technology, minerals, and supply chains. Africa holds most of these keys.

For this reason, we may witness in the coming days a gradual shift in the centers of international competition from the Gulf and Iran to the African continent, considered a strategic reservoir of future resources.

For some time now, we have observed that American policies in the Middle East indicate a desire to fragment the region due to its sensitivity.

It has weakened pivotal states, dismantled armies and regimes, economically exhausted the region, removed autocratic leaders it had either created, or who had long held power, stirred up long-dormant tensions, created sectarian, ethnic, and developmental divisions, and eliminated regional stability. From the 2003 invasion of Iraq until 2026, and the attempt to overthrow the Iranian regime—an attempt clearly continuing at an accelerated pace—to drain the entire region and expand the capabilities of the Jewish entity, knowing its eagerness to prevent the establishment of a Khilafah (Caliphate), which they know is coming, and that the Middle East is the best place for its emergence.

They seek to have the world’s major powers unify to prevent the emergence of an expansive power that would threaten their interests, while simultaneously ensuring energy security and maritime routes, maintaining the balance of power under their control, and entrusting this task to the Jewish entity, and preventing the formation of economically or militarily independent blocs except under their control.
The theory of “creative destruction” and “creative chaos” announced by then-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2006 when speaking about the Middle East, has been linked to the idea that it was a pre-prepared theory, or that America’s involvement in wars was aimed at expanding its influence.

The result is that chaos has ensued, and America is now announcing a redrawing of the Middle East map to suit its interests.

The establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood is now imminent, and by the Permission of Allah (swt), it will be established before their very eyes, after they have spent their wealth. After all this scheming, they will be defeated, by the Permission of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says,

[إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ]

“Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved will be gathered to Hell” [TMQ Surah Al-Anfal: 36].

Therefore, we call upon every Muslim on earth, and especially those in the Middle East, to be aware of the plots being hatched against them. Their strength does not lie in prostrating themselves before the disbelievers to implement their schemes against their Ummah. Instead, true strength lies in returning to the Deen of Allah (swt), the Deen that will govern the world, eradicate the effects of capitalism from this planet, and spread its belief, light, and justice.

O Muslims, O People of Military Power and Protection: Rise up to support this Deen! For our enmity towards one another will only benefit our enemies. Our unity under the rule of one Khaleefah (Caliph), in one state, governed by all that Allah (swt) has revealed, and which restructures our lives according to Shariah Law, will allow us to return to being the best Ummah brought forth for humanity. Allah (swt) said,

[كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَهُمْ مِنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ]

“You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is righteousness and forbid what is evil and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.” [TMQ Surah Aali Imran: 110].