1. Important Topics
SW Asia

2. Natural Resources Oil and Water
How do humans modify their environment to deal with water issues?

3. Religions
What are the important factors in each of the Big Three Monotheistic Religions of South West Asia?
Create a T-Chart with a partner
God, Holy Book, Beliefs

4. Arab Israel Conflict Turn to a partner and explain the conflict.
Who are the two sides?
What do they want?
Why have peace talk failed?

5. Stateless Nations: Group of people with a common culture who do not have a country of their own.
Kurds
Spread throughout many SW Asia Countries
Minority Ethnic Group
Independence movements
Palestinians
Why would the Palestinians be considered a Stateless Nation?

6. The Arab-Spring
The Arab Spring  is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests (both non-violent and violent), riots, and civil wars in the Arab world that began on 18 December 2010 and spread throughout the countries of the Arab League and surroundings. 

7. Arab-Spring: Jasmine Revolution
Tunisia became independent in 1956
Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali come to power in 1987 and lives an extravagant lifestyle and holds complete power
12/17/2010 Mohamed Bouazizi immolates himself to protest a life made futile by a lack of jobs and the harassment of street vendors by government officials
Dec Jan 2011 Facebook and Twitter are used by educated Tunisians to organize massive continuing demonstrations against the Ben Ali government and family
Jan President Ben Ali leaves Tunisia after a 23 year dictatorship

8. Iran
Islamic State /Theocracy

9. Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
20% of the world’s oil is transported to through the Strait
Connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean! Great Location for trade!!!
Iran has power to control the strait because of its location
Has the ability sabotage shipping in the strait leading to world- wide oil crisis.

10. Iran the Nuclear State
Research dates back to US sponsored initiatives during the Cold War
2003, Iran was discovered participating in nuclear research and development without informing the international community
They stopped under pressure from the EU and only continued in Uranium enriching activity
Iran agreed to stop all uranium enriching activities
2006, Ahmadinejad, a hardliner president declared that Iran had developed significant enrichment capacity and further development was ongoing.
UN and the USA are nervous that Iran is secretly developing Nuclear weapons.
Iran is not folding under pressure from the United Nations.

11. Terrorism: Read the article about the United States' War on Terror
As you read, underline main ideas.
Write a summary of the United States’ involvement in the War on Terror. For example: Who is involved? Why are we involved? What is the goal?