Chapter 28, Section 4

The Middle East The Middle East is a European term for Southwest Asia, and it also often includes Egypt and Afghanistan. Three major religions that began in the Middle East are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam . The Middle East is a vital interest today because of its oil resources.

Arab-Israeli Conflict Jews moved to Palestine to establish a Jewish state. In 1948, Jews formed the state of Israel. After war with Israel, Palestinian Arabs became homeless. Wars in 1967 and 1973 resulted in Israel gaing more land from other nations.

Arab-Israeli Conflict The Camp David Accords were an agreement between Egypt and Isael. The PLO under Yasir Arafat wanted a Palestinian state. They led a mass protest known as the Intifada. After meeting with Clinton and Israel’s leader in 1993, Arafat agreed to renounce violence. Israel agreed to let Palestinians have limited self-rule.

Arab-Israeli Conflict After the agreement, some Arab extremists launched suicide bombings in Israel. Israel responded by using military force. A year after Arafat died in 2004, a cease-fire was announced.

Islamist Extremism In Iran, many people opposed the Shah of Iran, who was an ally of the United States. Revolutionaries in Iran banned Western books, movies, and music. Followers of an extreme form of Islam are called Islamists.

Arab-Israeli Conflict These extremists resent the United States for the following reasons: 1. They think the Western culture threatens their religious beliefs. 2. they resent U.S. economic power 3. U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia

The Persian Gulf War When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, President George H.W. Bush responded quickly. The American Forces in the Persian Gulf War were led by General Norman Schwarzkopf and Gen. Colin Powell. After six week of war, Saddam Hussein withdrew troops from Kuwait. The United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq.