1. United States Involvement in Southwest Asia (the Middle East)
What are the factors that led to the US participation in the Persian Gulf Conflict and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq?
This is a Reagan Durham and Lily Tischner Presentation

2. There are 5 Reasons for the US to be in Southwest Asia
Regional Stability
Israel
Oil
Preventing the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Human Rights and Justice Issues

3. Iraq

4. Regional Stability
“Twin Pillar” strategy – based the promotion of regional stability and the defense of its geostrategic interests on close relationships with two friendly governments in the area, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
1979 – Twin Pillar strategy dissolves when the Ayatollah Khomeini takes control of Iran. Very Anti-American.
1979 – December – Soviets invade Afghanistan.
1980 – Carter Doctrine – if any outside force tries to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault of the vital interests of the United States.
1980 – Iraq / Iran War – U.S. sides with Iraq. 2 reasons why we supported Iraq – Why?

5. Iran / Iraq War

6. Regional Stability Iraq is the perfect example of this
Invades Kuwait for their oil
Saddam Hussein could have controlled much of the world’s oil
Border nations were afraid they would be next
In rides the USA!!!

7. Israel
Remember that Israel was founded as a safe homeland for the Jews after WWII
The US is home to millions of Jews as well
It is the desire of millions for the US to protect Israel
Iran has threatened to “annihilate” Israel
As long as there is a real threat to Israel, the US will defend it

8. Israel / Iran
From what we have learned in Mr. Yoder’s class on political cartoons, what can you tell me about the pictures on the stamps and the picture of Ahmadinejad of Iran?

9. Oil We did not invade Iraq for its oil
We did invade Iraq to protect the flow of oil
If we had attacked for the oil we would be a very rich nation right now
If the oil had been shut off, we would be a very poor nation right now

10. Preventing the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction
It was thought that Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein was trying to build weapons that would kill thousands at a time.
This included nuclear, chemical, and germ weapons.
While it is true that he was trying to get these weapons at one time, we now know he was probably not doing this when we invaded in 2003.

11. Human Rights and Justice Issues
Hussein killed hundreds of thousands of people in his own nation because they challenged his authority.
He even gasses his own people – The Kurds
The government in Afghanistan forces women to wear the burqua and will not allow them to work if their husbands die or leaves them.
Most governments are not democratic

12. Iraq – WMD and the Kurds

13. Persian Gulf War - The First One!

14. WE ROCKED THIS PRESENTATION!!!!