History of the Modern Middle East

The Arab League Definition: an organization of 22 Middle Eastern and African nations where Arabic is the spoken language that promotes political, economic, cultural, and social relations among members Additional Information: founded in 1945 council of representatives from member states work to settle disputes peacefully has had difficulty living up to goals ARABSAT (satellite systems)

O.P.E.C. Definition: an association of 12 countries that depend heavily on oil exports for their incomes and work together to increase revenue from oil exports. Additional Information: founded in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela OPEC nations produce 40% of world’s oil OPEC nations possess 70% of world’s oil OPEC have a direct impact on world oil prices along with: world conflict, global demand, and stock market speculation

Birthplace of Islam Has the world’s largest amount of oil reserves and largest exporter of oil in the world Government: Monarchy Current Leader: King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Law Code: Sharia Law (strict Islamic law) Saudi Arabia

UAE is a federation of 7 emirates (sovereign state) Great Britain expand influence in 1800’s and early 1900’s Independence in 1971 Economy dominated by oil exports (70’s, 80’s, 90’s) Economy hurt by global recession and banking crisis Result: call of political & economic reforms United Arab Emirates Economy: Open Market (growing economy) Government: constitutional federation of absolute monarchies

Iran-Iraq War Began Sept. 22, 1980 when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein orders invasion of Iran Ended Aug. 20, 1988 with a cease-fire agreement Additional Information: longest war between two nations in the 1900’s Reasons for the war: - Iraq thought Iran was in a weak state - Iraq (and other Arab nations) feared Iran’s Shiite revolution - Iran and Iraq had territorial disputes - Iraq saw a chance to control Iran’s oil

Terrorism Definition: The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or govts. Types: State Sponsored Domestic Religious

Hamas Definition: Islamist political party that currently governs the Gaza portion of the Palestinian territories Additional Information: founded in 1987 during the 1 st Intifada ideals are based on the principles of Islamic fundamentalism carry out suicide attacks, rocket attacks, and guerilla warfare against Israel classified as a terrorist group by the European Union, the United States, Canada, Israel, & Japan

Hezbollah Definition: Shi’a Muslim group and political party based in Lebanon; known as a resistance movement of the Arab & Muslim world; currently hold seats in Lebanon’s government Additional Information: emerged in 1982 as result of 1 st Lebanon War carry out suicide attacks & rocket attacks against Israel armed & funded by Iran and Syria classified as a terrorist group by Great Britain, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, & Australia

Al Qaeda Definition: militant Islamist organization Additional Information: created in 1988 in Saudi Arabia by Osama bin Laden labeled as a terrorist group by the U.S., U.N., European Union, NATO, Australia, India, Japan, Russia, Turkey, South Korea, others Goal: Jihad against the United States and the West Osama bin Laden killed in 2011 by Navy Seals Power and Strength in decline since mid Iraq War

Map of major attacks attributed to al-Qaeda 1. The Pentagon, US – Sep 11, Aden, Yemen – Oct 12, World Trade Center, US – Sep 11, Nairobi, Kenya – Aug 7, Istanbul, Turkey – Nov 15, 2003; Nov 20, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Aug 7, 1998The Pentagon, USAden, YemenWorld Trade Center, USNairobi, KenyaIstanbul, TurkeyDar es Salaam, Tanzania

The Persian Gulf War Began in response to President Saddam Hussein and Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on Aug.2, 1990 U.N. coalition (Desert Shield) began bombing Jan. 17, 1991 Coalition forces launched ground attack (Desert Storm) into Kuwait and Southern Iraq in February U.N. coalition ended military operations Feb. 28, 1991 Additional Information: first international crisis after Cold War tested U.S. and Russia’s ability to cooperate split Arab world between Iraq & Coalition Results in Iraq: environmental issues, refugees, casualties, revolts, economic hardships

Iran: Background Known as Persia till 1935 (Reza Pahlavi becomes Shah-monarch-) 1979 Iranian Revolution (Ayatollah Khomeini overthrows Shah and establishes a theocratic-Islamic- government) 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis (radical students storm U.S. embassy in Tehran and held 52 hostages for 444 days) Iran-Iraq War (Saddam Hussein orders Iraqi invasion of Iran) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad current president of Iran

Iran: Current Issues

Afghanistan: Background Problem: Afghanistan is “TRIBAL” - Created by the West placing various ethnic groups together as one nation Ethnic groups: 42% = Pashtun 4% = Aimak 27% = Tajik 3% = Turkmen 9% = Hazara 2% = Baloch 9% = Uzbek 4% = Other Fact: “-stan” means “land of”

Afghanistan: History 1747 Founded in modern Afghanistan in1747 Mid-1800’s British expand influence from Pakistan Durand Line creates boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan dividing Pashtuns Afghanistan sovereign from British influence bloodless coup creates democratic govt.

Afghanistan: History Taliban rule of Afghanistan Strict Islamic law = Human rights violations Al-Qaeda based in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom Allied invasion of Afghanistan overthrow Taliban and est. Democracy Taliban insurgency and Peace Talks 1978 communist govt. created Mujahideen fighters (Muslim Afghan opposition youth groups trained in Pakistan) Soviet Union invades Afghanistan Afghan Civil War = Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan Taliban (Islamic militant political group created from religious schools for Afghan refugees in Pakistan)

The Iraq War Began March 2003 when the U.S. and coalition of 39 nations launched an invasion of Iraq Mid-April 2003 Saddam Hussein and Iraq’s govt. fell U.S. President George W. Bush ends combat operations May 1, 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom: May 2003 to August Sunni violence against Shia Iraqi govt. and U.S. forces 2007 U.S. adds troop build- up Aug. 31, 2010 U.S. ends combat operations Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. troops expect to leave Iraq

Arab Spring Definition: revolutionary movement via civil uprising (protests)in the Arab world against their governments Additional Information: Began in Tunisia on December 18, 2010 Nations affected: Tunisia. Egypt, Yemen, Oman, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Kuwait, Lebanon Rulers has been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen Protests and Clashes continue in Syria (to date)