Do-First Should the US get involved in the affairs of other countries? Why or why not? Be sure to write in complete sentences.

Objective and Key Point SWBAT generalize the history of United States foreign policy in the Middle East. The United States involvement in the Middle East Stems from four major issues. Those Issues are Religion, Promoting Democracy, U.S. National Security as well as U.S. Economic Security. Each Flag is a US Military Base

Why is it important? Understanding United States foreign policy in the Middle East will help you understand why you pay a certain price for gas. It also helps you understand why the United States and U.S. citizens abroad are continually victims of terroristic attacks and scrutiny.

WHY DOES THE U.S. GET INVOLVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST? Religion – Judaism (Jews) vs. Islam (Arabs) Promoting Democracy – Government Systems – Limited vs. Unlimited  Economic security Oil  Regional security Nuclear weapons

RELIGION Violence has occurred in the Middle East with religious undertones primarily due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US feels obligated to respond. (Think who was a major supporter of the creation of Israel)

PROMOTING DEMOCRACY As the world’s leading democracy, the US should help promote democracy and encourage political freedom in the Middle East Until recently, most countries in the ME had unlimited governments

REGIONAL SECURITY Countries like Israel and Iran have the capability to produce nuclear weapons The US wants to prevent any escalation (increase) in conflict between Arabs and Israelis because this could turn to war

ECONOMIC SECURITY 2/3 of the world’s oil reserves are in the Middle East The US relies on the Middle East for much of it’s oil When there is conflict in the Middle East, the price of oil in the US INCREASES

PRACTICE “For sixty years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in the Middle East, and we achieved neither. Now were are taking a different course. We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people. “ -U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, June 2005 Which of the four reasons applies best here? What is your evidence?

Test Yourself! 1.T/F: The Gaza strip is currently under Palestinian control 2.T/F: The countries surrounding Israel are predominantly Arab countries that practice Islam. 3.T/F: Both the Ottoman Empire and Saddam Hussein “cleansed” their societies of ethnic groups.

Source Analysis Read the sources on pages 2-5. Determine which reason for US Involvement Applies to that document. Be sure to include the evidence from the document to justify your response. If you finish early, you may work on any other days activity within your SW Asia Student Notebook. Crash Course