1. What makes up the Middle East?

2. Historical Conflicts in the Middle East
Since the start of man’s history, the Middle East has been a “hot bed” of civilization’s development. Religion has consistently played a role in the politics and history of the region. The competition for scarce resources, water, agricultural land, and more recently oil, have driven leaders and nations into conflict.

3. Sources of Modern Middle East Conflict
Religious Differences
Different religions
Sunnis (leader is a member of the Muslim community) vs. Shia’s (Direct descendant of Muhammad)
Ethnic Groups
Persians (Iran) vs. Arabs (Iraq)
Nationalism
Some ethnic groups wish for an independent nation instead of a multi-ethnic one
Kurds- mountain people from Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey (Multiple violent struggles for independence)
Fundamentalism/Extremism
Belief in following your religion directly, as outline by holy text
Theocratic Government- religion based
Example- 1979, Shi’ite leader Khomeini took over Iran, ended all westernization and instilled fundamentalist beliefs over the government and country

4. BRITAIN & THE BALFOUR DECLARATION
During WWI the British wanted the U.S. to join the war on their side. They thought if they supported the concept of Zionism, a Jewish homeland in Palestine, that influential Jewish Americans might persuade the U.S. to join the war on the Allied side.
The Balfour Declaration of 1917 affirmed the British Government’s belief/support that Zionism should be supported.
Palestine was controlled by the British, after the defeat of the Ottoman Turks in WWI. They officially took control of Palestine in 1922.
Controlled by Great Britain, following WWII, Jewish refugees fled Europe for safety, many immigrated to Palestine

5. McMAHON AGREEMENT
Hoping to get the Arabs’ support against Turks, British officials appear to promise them Palestine also. Woops!

6. 20th Century Modern Middle East History
Palestine- Arab region lived on by Jewish people for over 2000 years
1945 Jewish terrorist organizations began to kill British soldiers in Palestine.
1946 the Zionist terrorist organization, Irgun, bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, headquarters of the British military in Palestine, killing 91 people.
1947- United Nations involved to end disagreement with traditional Arab population and recent Jewish immigrants
The U.N. divides Palestine in to two parts
Part 1 Arab
Part 2 Jewish
1948- Israel becomes independent state for Jewish people
Arab—Israeli Wars
Arab nations, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia & Syria declare war on Israel.
They did not agree with the creation of the Jewish state
Israel wins the first of multiple wars (1948, 1967, and 1973)

7. I. Reason for conflict
A. Palestinians – Arabs who had lived in the area of Israel for 2000 years forced to move
B. Palestinians that remained forced to live in camps to make room for Jews
C. Jerusalem is holy land to 3 major faiths
D. Jews and Muslims each want to control Jerusalem

9. Arab- Israeli Wars
Over 700,000 Palestinian Arab refugees fled to other countries during the wars
Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)- goal est. an independent Palestinian State
Throughout wars, constant shifts of territory between Israelis and Palestinians
Peace Attempts
1979- Egypt makes peace with Israel
1993- Palestinian and Israel peace agreement signed
PLO recognizes Israel as a state
Israel gave territory to the Palestinians

12. II. Effects of creation of Israel
A. Palestinians became refugees in other countries
throughout the middle east.

13. Map of Palestinian Refugees
According to the map, what was one result of the creation of Israel?

15. B. Terrorism is a constant threat in Israel

16. C. Israel Puts up a wall around Palestinian areas to
prevent terrorist from moving into Israeli areas
Look it up! : What does apartheid mean?

17. What becomes of the PLO?
PLO becomes the Palestinian Authority A new group emerges, upset with the direction of the PA (old-PLO) – HAMAS. Hamas – affiliated (though not directly backed) with the Muslim Brotherhood; practices a branch of Sunni extremism PA (PLO) – West Bank Hamas – Gaza Strip

18. Arab Spring
Starting in Egypt in Feb. 2011, several Middle Eastern governments were overthrown or came under pressure from popular citizen revolts. These revolts became known as the Arab Spring.

19. Arab Spring
Egyptian Revolution - President Mubarak ruled Egypt for 30 years
Country was governed by the military throughout his reign
Revolution, 18 days of protest
High poverty rate, low literacy of population,high unemployment
Mubarek resigns, is arrested and sent to prison.
Libyan Revolution - Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, dictator for 40 years
August 2011 Government overthrown Gaddafi captured in October and killed
Algerian Revolution - Abdelaziz Bouteflika - President
Pressured to change the Constitution and limit Presidential power
Issues with the government and the people had been brewing for over 19 years
Revolution triggered by high food prices, starvation.
Tunisian Revolution – President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, ruled Tunisia for over 25.
Over 300 citizens died during the revolution - President and wife sentenced to 35 years in jail

20. A Middle Eastern Cold War?
Countries fight proxy wars
Provide support through men and resources rather than openly fighting each other.
Iran vs. Saudi Arabia
Ex., Yemen and Syria (opposite situations)
Syria– Iranians support government; Saudis support rebels
Yemen – Saudis support government; Iranians support rebels

21. Islamic vs. Islamist Islamic Islamist
Someone who practices Islam; also referred to as Muslim
Islamist
Refers to political or ideological; can include Islamic/Muslim people
ALL extremist groups are Islamist
If they are only made up of Muslims, then they are also Islamic.

22. Islamic Extremism Taliban Al-Qaeda
Primarily in Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan
Took over Afghani government in mid 1990s.
Al-Qaeda
Ideology adopted from Egyptian and Saudi Arabian sources
Osama bin Laden became figurehead when moved to Afghanistan
Taliban made it easier for extremist groups to develop and carry out attacks

23. Islamic Extremism (cont.)
ISIS/ISIL/IS/Da’esh/The Caliphate
All are the same thing
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Islamic State
Da'esh is the Arabic name
Members referred to themselves as the Caliphate
Originally teamed up with Al-Qaeda, then broke off because of ideological differences.
More radical
Want their own Islamic state in Iraq and Syria