Essential Question: Why does the United States have an interest and presence in the Middle East (Southwest Asia)? Standard: SS7H2d. Explain U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Think, Pair, Share: The U.S. has been heavily involved in three events in the Middle East that are shown below. Why has the U.S. been so involved in the Middle East? Persian Gulf War Afghanistan War Iraq War of 2003

U.S. Presence in the Middle East Article Review

What the articles say about U.S. involvement in the Middle East:

Persian Gulf War – “The initial idea was to protect that country and others around it from further Iraqi aggression.”Persian Gulf War – “The initial idea was to protect that country and others around it from further Iraqi aggression.” War in Afghanistan – “to find Osama Bin Laden, remove the Taliban from power, and prevent the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist haven.”War in Afghanistan – “to find Osama Bin Laden, remove the Taliban from power, and prevent the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist haven.”

War in Iraq – “He claimed to have hard evidence that Saddam possessed WMDs, and that Iraq had aided, trained, and harbored al- Qaeda terrorists. In order to pre-empt a future terrorist attack…the U.S. had the right to defend itself by removing the threat.”War in Iraq – “He claimed to have hard evidence that Saddam possessed WMDs, and that Iraq had aided, trained, and harbored al- Qaeda terrorists. In order to pre-empt a future terrorist attack…the U.S. had the right to defend itself by removing the threat.”

The articles exclude another key factor in the involvement of the U.S. in the Middle East. Watch the video clip below and listen for an additional reason for U.S. interest: Persian Gulf War: Timeline of Operation Desert StormPersian Gulf War: Timeline of Operation Desert Storm [5:01] Protection of the oil supply is a big factor in the U.S. presence and interest in the Middle East

Main Reasons for U.S. Presence & Interest in the M.E. To safeguard the supply of oilTo safeguard the supply of oil Prevent the use and aid of terrorismPrevent the use and aid of terrorism

Summarizer Explain U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.