Conflicts and Change in the Middle East

Main Ideas The creation of Israel has led to conflicts between Jews and Arabs The search for peace between Jews and Arabs has had some success A revolution in Iran has led to an Islamic republic Iraq has been involved in several international conflicts

Key Themes and Concepts Diversity : how has the diversity in the Middle East affected its recent history ? Conflict : what efforts have been made to end conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors? Interdependence : why did the Persian Gulf War involve many nations from around the world ? Belief systems : How is Islamic fundamentalism effecting life in the Middle East today ?

The Impact of Geography Oil in the region has brought power to some Middle eastern countries. The world is so concerned with this region due to dependence on oil.

In Quest of a Homeland After WWII many Jewish survivors of the Holocaust migrated to Palestine Both Jew and Palestinians claim rights to this land which has led to violent clashes.

Creation of Israel 1948 Britain withdraws, and the Jews establish the State of Israel Both the U.S. and USSR recognize the newly created state.

First Arab-Israeli War The Arabs were determined to destroy the state of Israel 1948. The day after Israel proclaimed itself a nation Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria invaded Israel Israel is victorious

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Led by Yassir Arafat Used terrorist tactics and fought a guerrilla war against Israelis at home and abroad.

Second Arab-Israeli War 1956. The Suez Crisis. Nasser of Egypt nationalizes Suez Canal Britain and France assist Israel with an invasion. Israel defeats Egyptians but U.S. and USSR force Israel to withdraw. Canal is left to Egypt

Third Arab-Israeli War 1967. The Six Day War. The Israelis mount a pre-emptive strike against Egypt, Iran, Jordan, and Syria. Israel takes control of the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan heights

Fourth Arab-Israeli War 1973. Egypt and Syria attack Israel on the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur. Known as the Yom Kippur War Although Israel was taken off guard, they still manage to repulse the attack

Positive Outcomes Egypt and Israel began to seek peace 1979, Egypt and Israel sign the Camp David Accords to end war between the two countries Israeli prime minister Begin; U.S. president Carter; Egyptian president Sadat

Not So Positive Outcomes 1987. Young Palestinians mount the intifada, or uprising Teenagers defied Israeli soldiers with tactics ranging rock throwing to suicide bombings. Crackdowns on the Intifada led to more violence

A Step in the Right Direction 1993. Direct talks are held between Israel and the PLO. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yassir Arafat sign agreement giving Palestinians limited self-rule in Gaza and Jericho Rabin; Clinton; and Arafat

Civil War in Lebanon Palestinian refugees entering Lebanon after 1967 created a Muslim majority in Lebanon A civil war between Christians and Muslims began in 1975 Order was restored by 1990

Roadmap of Peace The U.S., UN, EU, and Russia outlined a roadmap of peace. This would establish a Palestinian state In return the PLO had to make democratic reforms and halt its use of terrorism

Total Security for Israel 2001 Ariel Sharon elected as prime minister of Israel His objective was to ensure total security of Israel Some critics feel that he has impeded the peace process

The Iranian Revolution Shah Khomeini U.S. helps Muhammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah) gain control of Iranian government The Shah was overthrown in 1979 by fundamentalist Ayatollah Khomeini 1989 Khomeini dies, moderates take over

Impact of the Revolution Extreme hostility toward the west Strict adherence to Muslim traditions Many rights taken away from women Iranian militiamen seize American embassy and hold hostages for more than a year Iran begins to encourage revolutions

Islamic Fundamentalism During the 1970s and especially after the Iranian Revolution many Muslims opposed westernization They sought to apply Islamic principles to the problems of their nation. Examples – Libya, Algeria, and Turkey

Saddam Hussein and Iraq Under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, Iraq was involved in several conflicts in the Middle East

Iran-Iraq War 1980. There was a border dispute between Iran and Iraq. Hussein mobilized his forces and they quickly seized control of the border War broke out between the two countries that lasted nearly 8 years, and devastated both countries

Persian Gulf War 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait and seized its oil fields The U.S. saw this as a threat to Saudi Arabia and the flow of oil When Iraq refused to withdraw from Kuwait, the 1991 Persian Gulf War began The U.S. and its allies quickly won and liberated Kuwait Hussein remained in power

We’ve Come Full Circle Diversity : how has the diversity in the Middle East affected its recent history ? Conflict : what efforts have been made to end conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors? Interdependence : why did the Persian Gulf War involve many nations from around the world ? Belief systems : How is Islamic fundamentalism effecting life in the Middle East today ?