The United States interest in the Middle East SS7H2d. Explain US presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq

What's so Interesting??? In your notes, quickly write down 3 reasons why you think the United States would have interest in the Middle East..

Lets take a closer look…. Iraq Persian Gulf War Afghanistan

Persian Gulf War USA has had interest in Iraq since 1990… –1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait (Persian Gulf War) –Saddam Hussein wanted control over Kuwait's oil fields –Saddam wanted more access to Persian Gulf

Persian Gulf War The United States responded as an ally of Kuwait. –To prevent Saddam Hussein from having power/ oil. Along with other nations, USA recaptured Kuwait in –Operation Desert Storm –Air attacks and ground forces forced Iraqis out of Kuwait

Persian Gulf War Before leaving Kuwait Iraqi forces set fire to oil rigs causing an immense amount of economic damage to Kuwait's Oil industry.

United Nations Responds The United Nations (UN) imposed a trade embargo when Iraq invaded Kuwait. –This prevented Iraq from exporting goods –Remained even after the Persian Gulf War Removed when WMD destroyed… –UN inspection left in % were destroyed Some believed Hussein was hiding WMDs.

Afghanistan: First Stop in the War on Terror Taliban on the rise in Afghanistan –An extreme religious sect of Islam The Anti- American Taliban sheltered Al Qaeda terrorist group. –Leader: Osama bin Laden

Taliban/ Al Qaeda: Attack on America September 11 th, 2001 –Terrorist Attack on USA World Trade Center, Pentagon US government held bin Laden responsible –Considered attack as an act of war

United Sates responds November 2001 –US ground forces entered Afghanistan to disarm the Taliban and find bin Laden –At first efforts were successful and US was helping rebuild new democracy in Afghanistan. HOWEVER…. bin Laden still remains unfound and Taliban has retreated to Pakistan and still attacks Afghanistan –Suicide bombers –Roadside bombs –Attacks on US and international military posts

Back to Iraq After UN inspection, some US leaders still believed Saddam Hussein had WMD. –Saddam didn’t comply with inspectors. –2003 US, Britain, and other countries invaded Iraq. Iraqi government fell and the war was over in less than 2 mos. Hussein was captured, tried, and put to death

Back to Iraq Temporary government was put in place until constitution was written. Still have roadside bombs, attacks on US forces, unemployment, civilian deaths and injuries, and Sunni/ Shia battles 2005 Iraqis took part of free elections to establish its democratic government. –US govt plans to keep troops in Iraq until Iraqi police and soldiers can keep country stable.

Review Put these in the right order on your paper… A. US ground forces landed in Afghanistan B.Taliban rebuilds forces in Pakistan C.Terrorist attack of September 11 th 2001 D.Taliban rises in power in Afghanistan E.The United Sates helps form a new government in Afghanistan

Quick Review 1.The UN inspection team left Iraq in _____. 2.After the UN inspection team left Iraq, some American leaders were concerned that Iraq still had __________________. 3.Military forces from the US, Britain, and other countries invaded Iraq in ________. 4._________ was captured, tried, and sentenced to death. 5.Battles still rage between _______ and ______ Muslims. 6.Iraqis voted in free elections in ________.

Quick Quiz 1.In 1990 Iraq invaded: a.Iranb. Saudi Arabia c. Kuwait 2.Which country led the international coalition invading Iraq in 1991? a.USA b. Israel c. Iran 3.Who imposed a trade embargo against Iraq? a.UN b. USA c. OPEC 4.A UN inspection team was in Iraq for seven years finding and destroying these… a. Oil Fields b. Helicopters c. weapons