Middle East Friendship & Conflicts

Islam Followers: Muslims Followers: Muslims oneness with Allah oneness with Allah Last prophet: Muhammad Last prophet: Muhammad wrote Qur’an from angel, Gabriel wrote Qur’an from angel, Gabriel Muhammad (main prophet) died… successor??? Muhammad (main prophet) died… successor??? Shi’a Shi’a Muhammad ordained his cousin Muhammad ordained his cousin 10-20% of world’s population of Muslims 10-20% of world’s population of Muslims Sunni Sunni father of Muhammad’s wife was rightful successor, according to Qur’an father of Muhammad’s wife was rightful successor, according to Qur’an 80-90% of world’s population of Muslims 80-90% of world’s population of Muslims

Jihad religious duty of Muslims to struggle & strive in the way of God religious duty of Muslims to struggle & strive in the way of God people who carry out jihad: mujahideen people who carry out jihad: mujahideen HOLY WAR with those who are unbelievers in the vision of Muhammad HOLY WAR with those who are unbelievers in the vision of Muhammad does not have to be through military might does not have to be through military might stems from the Crusades in the 11 th C stems from the Crusades in the 11 th C

Saudi Arabia, Yemen (A) Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia relationship began in 1931; gain control of oil reserves; military relationship; Arabian people want to sever ties because of cultural differences relationship began in 1931; gain control of oil reserves; military relationship; Arabian people want to sever ties because of cultural differences Yemen Yemen diplomatic relations started in 1946; send at least $100 million of U.S. aid & weapons/training since 1990’s; relationship has improved; partner in War on Terror, but lax on enforcement diplomatic relations started in 1946; send at least $100 million of U.S. aid & weapons/training since 1990’s; relationship has improved; partner in War on Terror, but lax on enforcement

Israel (A) helped create Jewish Homeland after WWII, gave aid ever since helped create Jewish Homeland after WWII, gave aid ever since $3billion/year since 1990’s $3billion/year since 1990’s Israeli-Arab War Israeli-Arab War 1948 set up Israel as a state & upset its neighbors 1948 set up Israel as a state & upset its neighbors Bias or Strategic? Bias or Strategic? Obama Administration gave Israel an ultimatum to cooperate with Palestine or not receive aid Obama Administration gave Israel an ultimatum to cooperate with Palestine or not receive aid

Palestine (E) U.S. doesn’t recognize Palestine as an independent state U.S. doesn’t recognize Palestine as an independent state PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) began in 1970s PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) began in 1970s U.S. urging Palestine-Israel peace talks U.S. urging Palestine-Israel peace talks Obama Administration pledged support of a Palestinian state Obama Administration pledged support of a Palestinian state but will we lose our friendship with Israel? but will we lose our friendship with Israel?

Egypt (A) agrees to peace with Israel (Moses) in 1974 agrees to peace with Israel (Moses) in 1974 between , Egypt receives $50billion in military & economic aid between , Egypt receives $50billion in military & economic aid Egyptian military cooperates with U.S., War on Terror, persuaded other Arab countries to make peace with U.S. Egyptian military cooperates with U.S., War on Terror, persuaded other Arab countries to make peace with U.S. Recently, tension bc Egypt won’t send troops to Afghanistan & Iraq Recently, tension bc Egypt won’t send troops to Afghanistan & Iraq

Libya, Syria (Sanctions) Libya Libya supported independence in 1951, but Gadhafi took over and our relationship soured (supported international terrorism); once WMDs were removed from their country, relationship improved until 2011 Civil War  Gadhafi overthrown supported independence in 1951, but Gadhafi took over and our relationship soured (supported international terrorism); once WMDs were removed from their country, relationship improved until 2011 Civil War  Gadhafi overthrown Syria Syria tense relationship since 1944, CIA coup attempt to overthrow Syrian president, relations were severed again after Israeli-Arab War; during Gulf War, Syria cooperated with U.S. & assisted in the War on Terror; but did not support Iraq War; protects Palestine; wants WMDs; “safe-haven for terrorists” tense relationship since 1944, CIA coup attempt to overthrow Syrian president, relations were severed again after Israeli-Arab War; during Gulf War, Syria cooperated with U.S. & assisted in the War on Terror; but did not support Iraq War; protects Palestine; wants WMDs; “safe-haven for terrorists”

Iraq (E  A) 1968, CIA supported coup to overthrow General’s regime by Ba’ath party, Hussein assumed power 10 years later by killing all opponents 1968, CIA supported coup to overthrow General’s regime by Ba’ath party, Hussein assumed power 10 years later by killing all opponents Gulf War Gulf War 1990s, Hussein tried to overthrow Kashmeir 1990s, Hussein tried to overthrow Kashmeir War in Iraq War in Iraq WMDs WMDs people overthrew and UN killed Hussein people overthrew and UN killed Hussein rebuilding the nation rebuilding the nation

Pakistan (A/E?) Indo-Pakistani War 1965, U.S. did not provide Pakistan with military support as pledged  Pakistanis no longer trust U.S. Indo-Pakistani War 1965, U.S. did not provide Pakistan with military support as pledged  Pakistanis no longer trust U.S. key supporter of the Taliban key supporter of the Taliban under pressure from U.S., joined War on Terror under pressure from U.S., joined War on Terror arrested 500 Al Qaeda members arrested 500 Al Qaeda members since 2001, received $10billion in aid since 2001, received $10billion in aid 1000s+ of soldiers & civilians killed 1000s+ of soldiers & civilians killed Osama Bin Laden hid in housing complex 2011 Osama Bin Laden hid in housing complex 2011

Iran (E) relations began 1850’s; during WWII, Iran was invaded by UK & USSR; Iranian leader overthrown by CIA coup, relationship with the Shah (new leader) good until 1979 relations began 1850’s; during WWII, Iran was invaded by UK & USSR; Iranian leader overthrown by CIA coup, relationship with the Shah (new leader) good until 1979 Iran Revolution & Hostage Crisis – rebelled against Shah (U.S. puppet) & replaced with Islamic Republic (new leader: Ayatollah Khomeini) enforcing their cultural beliefs; occupied American embassy until U.S. agreed to withdraw a hand in their govt.; but Iran lost business relations (billions in assets) Iran Revolution & Hostage Crisis – rebelled against Shah (U.S. puppet) & replaced with Islamic Republic (new leader: Ayatollah Khomeini) enforcing their cultural beliefs; occupied American embassy until U.S. agreed to withdraw a hand in their govt.; but Iran lost business relations (billions in assets) Iran-Iraq War – we armed Iraq, but condemned their war tactic of mustard gas; in turn Iran bombed U.S. embassy; Iran-Iraq War – we armed Iraq, but condemned their war tactic of mustard gas; in turn Iran bombed U.S. embassy; Iran Contra Affair – Reagan sold weapons to Iran, profits funded Contras (anti-communist groups) Iran Contra Affair – Reagan sold weapons to Iran, profits funded Contras (anti-communist groups) 2005 Ahmadinejad becomes President, “reelected” in Ahmadinejad becomes President, “reelected” in 2009

Afghanistan (E) diplomatic relations began in 1934; revolution in 1978 overthrew the president & Soviets invaded Afghanistan with communist rule diplomatic relations began in 1934; revolution in 1978 overthrew the president & Soviets invaded Afghanistan with communist rule U.S. sent aid to Afghanistan to fight U.S.S.R. & communism; they won & put in Taliban govt. (Islamic fundamentalist politico- religious movement); Taliban attacked Iran, but UN stopped a war U.S. sent aid to Afghanistan to fight U.S.S.R. & communism; they won & put in Taliban govt. (Islamic fundamentalist politico- religious movement); Taliban attacked Iran, but UN stopped a war Northern Alliance - aka United Islamist Front – all ethnic groups uniting to fight the Pashtun Taliban (Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmen); we support the UF Northern Alliance - aka United Islamist Front – all ethnic groups uniting to fight the Pashtun Taliban (Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmen); we support the UF Hazara (Shi’a) vs. Pashtun (Sunni) Hazara (Shi’a) vs. Pashtun (Sunni) 9/11 – Osama bin Laden & al Qaeda (Islamic terrorist organization) living there: Operation Enduring Freedom 9/11 – Osama bin Laden & al Qaeda (Islamic terrorist organization) living there: Operation Enduring Freedom

Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in Cuba hold detainees from War in Iraq & War on Terror hold detainees from War in Iraq & War on Terror Open since 2002 Open since 2002