The Middle East: Iraq

Why is the U.S. Involved in Iraq? Region must be stable: U.S. & world economies depend on the oil that is an abundant resource there.

Saddam Hussein A ruthless dictator.

* 1991 Iraq invades Kuwait. * Hussein kills thousands of ethnic Kurds who live in Northern Iraq. (1980’s) Using biological weapons – gas – It was thought Iraq possessed “weapons of mass destruction” and was close to developing a nuclear weapon – it was believed Iraq was supporting and funding terrorist organizations.

Contemporary Issues in Iraq U.S. investment in trillions of dollars and thousands of injured and killed soldiers in two wars: 1991 & How to establish and maintain a functioning democracy and stable government in the midst of tribal/ethnic conflicts that have existed for many, many years. How to broker peace between Sunni & Shiite Muslims and ethnic Kurds in the North. Oil! Access and wealth distribution to Iraqi’s.

U.S. Foreign Policy : Nation Building Assist countries with emerging democracies. Five Keys to this strategy

Keys to a successful modern democracy. Popular sovereignty – The core principal of any democracy. The citizenry as a whole is the ultimate authority of the nation. A nations citizens together hold power over all elected government officials. Free and fair elections: It represents the will of the people. Universal suffrage: The right to vote to all citizens of a certain age.

Keys to Democracy continued. Rule of Law: The principal of equal treatment before the law. All citizens are subject to the same laws in the same way. Money, power, status, have no bearing. (ideally!) Freedom of expression, information, and association. These freedoms enable citizens to speak, move, educate, and organize themselves without interference from the government.

Iraq: What to watch for Any stability or sustainability of a democracy. U.S. troops/advisors, continued presence and at what levels. A U.S. And Iran partnership in Iraq? Sunni and Shiite civil war with influences from terrorists organizations – ISIS, Al-Queda. Theocratic form of government evolves. Who controls vast regions of oil fields!

Shiites Muslims: minority branch of Islam, but 60% of Iraq’s population.

Sunni Muslims: majority branch worldwide, minority in Iraq, but dominated the politics of the region for years.

Insurgents: Anti U.S. fighters wishing to overthrow American backed government.

Middle East Part ll. The Ottoman Empire.

Middle East ruled by Ottoman empire Turkish influence in area since the 13 th century! (Turkey remains today) After WW l Middle East divided up between France & England One independent Arab state created: Saudi Arabia on the Saudi peninsula. Iraq under influence of the English.

Saudi Arabia & Oil Total annual production: Rank 1 st Total world reserves: Rank 1 st Southern 1/3 of Arabian peninsula ? World’s largest continuous sand body, 250,000 square miles of sand! Called the “empty quarter”

The Empty Quarter

United Arab Emirates

Iran

Iran: Persia prior to 1935 A theocratic republic. (Shiite Muslim) 1979: held U.S. hostages (444 days) overthrew U.S. friendly regime- The Shah of Iran. Muslim extremists take over. No formal relations by U.S. gov. since this time. Currently seeking nuclear power (weapons) Grave concern by world. May help U.S. in Iraq?

Ayatollah Khomeini

Persian Gulf: Key Strategic area.

Middle East: Israel

U.S. Foreign Policy in this region is governed by three major interests. Support of Israel (1948) Oil: Lifeblood of world economy -2/3 of proven oil reserves in Persian Gulf region. Anti Terrorism (prior to 1991: anti communism).

U.S. is a major ally and supporter of the country of Israel. Why ? Cultural and religious ties. A moral obligation after the holocaust (WW ll.) Israeli government is the only true democracy in the Middle East.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem: Home to three major religions. Christianity Islam Judaism

ISRAEL Established May 14 th, Many Arabs refuse to recognize an independent country. Before 1948: area was called Palestine and inhabited by Arabs. Jews had controlled this territory in biblical times, and believe this land is rightfully theirs, bestowed by God.

The Holocaust

After W.W. ll Many nations believed the Jews needed their own homeland. After WW ll, U.S., Britain, France, supported this issue. Since 1948, Arabs from Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon, have fought in six major wars, and countless skirmishes.

Israeli Air force

Israeli Wars 1967 – Arab countries (Syria, Jordan, Egypt ) suffer humiliating defeat from Israel. “The six day War”.

Yom Kippur War: 1973 Egypt & Syria; a surprise attack.

U.S. Foreign aid

Israeli Hotspots: Gaza Strip

The West bank

Lebanon