SS7H2 Describe how land and religion are reasons for continuing conflicts in the Middle East. d. Explain U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why Does U.S. Have a Strong Presence in Middle East? Promote Freedom & Democracy Security Interests Relationship with Israel & Saudi Arabia Oil

Why Does U.S. Have a Strong Presence in Middle East? Promote Freedom & Democracy American ideal of freedom Create a Democratic Nationalism Leads to next reason for involvement

Why Does U.S. Have a Strong Presence in Middle East? Security Interest Unstable world region Origin of majority of terrorist groups Fight there, not here

Why Does U.S. Have a Strong Presence in Middle East? Relationship with Israel & Saudi Arabia Close Allies Israel: only rock solid ally in the Middle East Saudi Arabia: Ally & owner of the final reason for U.S. involvement . . .

Why Does U.S. Have a Strong Presence in Middle East? Oil Middle East has world’s largest oil supply Saudi Arabia holds more than 20% of world’s oil U.S. is world’s largest consumer of oil

Persian Gulf War: Desert Storm Why Did U.S. Invade Iraq in 1991? Saddam Hussein had proved to be a dangerous & radical dictator Iraqi army invaded Kuwait Force Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait Ensure stability & safety of Israel, Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf countries

Persian Gulf War: Desert Storm

Persian Gulf War: Desert Storm

Persian Gulf War: Desert Storm Unique Aspects of Gulf War Live Media Coverage Military leaders achieve celebrity status General H. Norman Schwarzkopf “Stormin” Norman

Post September 11, 2001: Invasion of Afghanistan Why Invade Afghanistan in 2001? Response to September 11, 2001 attacks Hunt Osama Bin Laden Attack Al-Qaeda terrorist network & leaders Remove Taliban regime in Afghanistan

Post September 11, 2001: Invasion of Afghanistan On-Going Still troops Terrible terrain for war Taliban fighting back Bin Laden killed in Pakistan.

Post September 11, 2001: Operation Iraqi Freedom Why Invade Iraq again in 2003? A connection to 9/11? A stable, more democratic Iraq Find & eliminate Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Convince other countries to stop supporting terrorists Iraqi Regime Change “Get Rid of Saddam Hussein” Protect allies from Iraqi threats and attacks Destroy terrorist networks in Iraq

Post September 11, 2001: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Saddam Hussein Before & After

Post September 11, 2001: Operation Iraqi Freedom War in Iraq –Military Action Ended Public & world opinion not favorable Over 4,000 American soldiers died

Post September 11, 2001: Is Iran Next? President Hassan Rouhani New Iranian President At the UN General Assembly in New York to ask for lift of U.S. sanctions. Nuclear Capability is concern world-wide

Palestinian Liberation Organization Made up of several Palestinian political groups in different countries Leader: 1969-2004 Yasser Arafat Formed to: Take Palestine back from Israelis Fatah: secret armed group Arafat founded (makes attacks)

Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) PLO Expelled: from base in Jordan moved to Lebanon. Black September: terrorist group killed 11 Israeli athletes at Munich Olympics in 1972. Current Leader Mahmoud Abbas 2006 War: Hezbollah (terrorist) and Israel. Kidnapped 2 soldiers and killed 8 lasted a month. UN helped stop fighting.

Palestinian Liberation Organization