AFGHANISTAN EA Scholarship Candidate Interview Sign-ups Dear ,   Dear , Thank you for applying for the SEA Scholarship. An interview with several SEA representatives and executive officers needs to be arranged. The dates for these interviews are set for Tuesday, April 30, Wednesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 2nd. The interviews are conducted in the Library, after school, in 15 minute sessions from 3:45 – 6:00. Please e-mail, fb message or see Mrs. Maruna to schedule a time for your interview. Thank you. SEA Scholarship Committee

AFGHANISTAN (cont.) The Taliban- Muslim Fundamentalists 1994 gained strength and power 1996 seized the capital, Kabul Declares Afghanistan an Islamic State Sharia, Islamic law TV and non-religious music banned Women forbidden to hold jobs or be educated

AFGHANISTAN (cont.) Northern Afghanistan Civil war again Anti-Taliban (receiving outside help) Civil war again Misery and hunger Targeted by U.S. after September 11, 2001 Taliban harboring terrorists Osama bin Laden’s base in Afghanistan Al Qaeda

AFGHANISTAN (cont.) Taliban defeated late 2001 Interim government established All political groups represented Hamid Karzai became interim president He was opposed by many, but in Oct. 2004, he won a U.N.-sponsored presidential election Afghanistan became a major producer of opium NATO assisting with security ISAF – International Security Assistance Force

SYRIA

SYRIA (cont.) President Assad At war with Israel Died in 2000 Son Bashar al-Assad became President At war with Israel Six day war-1967 Lost Golan Heights 1973, joined Egypt to attack Israel, Yom Kippur War 1975-dominated Lebanon Restored order-1991 May 2004, Bush charged Syria with failure to take action against terrorist groups in Syria Hezbollah

LEBANON

LEBANON (cont.) 1943-Independence from France National Covenant/Consitution Dictated Leaders based on religion Christian/Muslim Became the banking & intellectual center for the Middle East “Jewel of the Middle East” 1970’s-PLO Headquarters - Arafat Israel bombed

LEBANON (cont.) 1975-Civil War 2000 2005 Syria seized control 300,000 Palestinian Refugees Border Issue with Israel 1990 peace agreement that ended the civil war 2000 Israeli troops leave Southern Lebanon 2005 Syrian troops leave Lebanon

LEBANON (cont.) Rafik al-Hariri, a popular prime minister, was killed by a truck bomb in Feb, 2005 Syria was blamed for the attack UN investigating the assassination Fouad Siniora becomes new PM Backed by the U.S. Hezbollah gains the majority in Parliament Terrorist group supported by Iran & Syria Constitution does not change Muslim majority v. Christian minority

LEBANON (cont.) July 2006, Hezbollah/Israeli War Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers Israel responded with heavy fire on southern Lebanon, attacking suspected Hezbollah bases Beirut bombed by Israel A U.N. sponsored cease fire ended the conflict U.N. charged Israel of using “Cluster Bombs” Hezbollah demands more political power

JORDAN

JORDAN (cont.) 1946-Independent Peace Treaty with Israel - 1994 King Hussein 1952-1999 Son Abdulla II becomes president 1948 gained control of Jerusalem & West Bank

JORDAN (cont.) 1967-Six Day War Supported Iraq during Persian Gulf War Lost to Israel Lost Jerusalem &the West Bank 700,000 Palestinian Refugees 1/7 of 5m. Population Supported Iraq during Persian Gulf War Lost foreign aid

SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA (cont.) ¼ of the World’s oil reserves Long time U.S. Ally King Abdullah has ruled since 2005 Ruled by royal family Most of Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim

SAUDI ARABIA (cont.) Islamic Religious Code-Law 1948 No alcohol No western entertainment Women-inferior status 1948 Fought with Israel Aided PLO

SAUDI ARABIA (cont.) 1973 1990’s 1996 Oil Embargo “World’s most extravagant welfare state” (1970’s & 80’s) 1990’s Tension Terrorism 1996 Truck bomb kills 289 civilians

SAUDI ARABIA (cont.) Terrorist suicide bombings in 2003-2006 52 people killed in 2003 suicide bombing Another suicide bombing took place outside a police building in 2004 2006 a suicide bomb attack was prevented from blowing up Abqiaq oil and gas facility 911 Terrorists came from Saudi Arabia