The Middle East: Three Case Studies Turkey, Egypt and Iran

Turkey Moves Towards Democracy Kamal Ataturk begins to turn Turkey into a modern, secular state. After WWII, Soviets try to occupy Turkey to gain control of the Bosporus strait (please see the map). With aid from America, the Turks beat back the Soviets. Government and Economy At first, general instability led to the need for military control of the state. Lately, a multi-party democracy has emerged. Economically, it sought to join the European Union but was denied full membership. Conflicts Turkey is one of the homes of a people called the Kurds. Frequent Kurdish uprisings have led to brutal repression by the Turkish government. Early 2000s – Turkish voters put a religious based political party in power. So far, they have supported the non-religious constitution but have only half heartedly supported the US.

The Rise of an independent and modern Egypt A strange country. – Both African and Arab Geographically important Shares a long border with Israel Suez Canal Rich agriculture (Nile HASN’T changed) Gamel Abdel Nasser 1950s – nationalistic military leader who overthrew a weak Egyptian ruler Nationalizes the Suez Canal Defies Britain and France – “It was dug by Egypt’s sons” – Boosts his prestige in the Arab world. Led two wars against Israel but lost both Nasser’s Economics Turns to Socialism Distributed land to peasants. Limited success. Built the Aswan High Dam on the Nile with Soviet support. Good for farming, bad for environment and ancient sites. Anwar Sadat President after Nasser. More pro-American. Recognizes Israel as a nation. Is assassinated for it.

Iran’s Ongoing Revolution The most ethnically diverse nation in the Middle East Only 50% - Persian Speaking Iranians Most are Shiite Muslims, not Sunni (unusual in the world) Oil makes it important British, Soviets and Americans were all interested in controlling it. 1945 – Shah Reza Pahlavi Supported by the West (British and Americans) Opposed by Iranian Nationalists who wanted to end British influence 1953 – The Iranian Parliament voted to Nationalize the oil industry. Set off a complex situation that ended with the US using military aid to the Shah to help him remain in power. This made MANY Iranians hate the United States. The Shah makes reforms The Shah attempts to modernize his country. Builds roads, increases women’s rights and peasant land ownership. Tries to reduce the influence of religion in politics. Those who did not support the Shah were arrested and sometimes tortured and killed by his secret police.

The Iranian Revolution 1970s – The foes of the shah supported an exiled Ayatollah (respected Islamic scholar) named Ruhollah Khomeini. He was a vocal critic of western influences in Iran and the shah’s oppressive rule. He accuses the shah of violating the Sharia – the Islamic code of law. A revolution occurred that forced the shah to flee the country. Khomeini was made the leader of an Islamic-based republic. The government was a theocracy, a government ruled by religious leaders. The state became religious based. Secular courts are replaced with religious ones. Secular laws are replaced with religious law. Women’s rights are abolished. Western books, movies and music are banned. Foreign affairs The shah sought medical care and sanctuary in the US. When the US gave that shelter, Iranian revolutionaries stormed the US embassy in Tehran. 52 US hostages were taken for a year. Iraq - Iran war Some moderate movements in recent years, not many. Country still controlled by religious leaders, do we give them a nuke!?

Iraq and the Persian Gulf Saddam and the invasion of Iran 1980s – Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq) launches an invasion into Iran. War drags on for 8 years and finally ends in a stalemate. 1991 – The Persian Gulf War Saddam invades Kuwait in an attempt to gain control of its rich oil fields and better access to the Red Sea. President George H. Bush (the first one) leads a coalition of forces under the United Nation’s banner to defeat Iraq. After winning, the UN forbids Saddam from building weapons of mass destruction and placed economic sanctions on the nation. 2003 – The War in Iraq Convinced that Saddam’s repeated violations of UN sanctions and non cooperation with UN weapons inspectors meant that he was concealing weapons of mass destruction, George W. Bush (the second one) led a mostly US force into Iraq. This attack was made without UN approval Saddam Hussein was captured by December of that year and was executed by an Iraqi court. US forces continue to occupy Iraq while dealing with insurgents and terrorist attacks.