History of the Middle East

Mandate (in the League of Nations) = following WWI, countries were given the right to control the government and affairs of a former Turkish territory or German colony. –To the victors go the spoils

Iraq given to Great Britain as a “mandate” (result of WWI, just like Palestine) 1932 gained independence from Britain –Kingdom of Iraq (Monarchy) 1979 Saddam Hussein becomes president – declares war on Iran ( Iraq-Iran War) – Kurdish Genocide: killing of 50, ,000 Kurds by Saddam’s govt. via chemical attack Kurdish Genocide – Persian Gulf War : Saddam invades Kuwait; U.S. led coalition forces Iraq out of Kuwait nd Gulf War : U.S. invades Iraq; topples Saddam’s govt.; democracy est.

Lebanon Post-WWI mandate of France 1943 granted independence by France Lebanese Civil War : –Maronite Christians supported by Israel and the West vs. Arab nationalists, Muslims, and Palestinians supported by Soviets –Outcome:120,000 deaths & 1 million wounded 2006 Conflict with Israel –Hezbollah bases located in Lebanon (Islamic militant group) 2010 Arab Spring protests –minor/no changes

Syria Post-WWI mandate of France 1946 granted independence by France 1970 Hafiz al-Asad overthrows govt. in a bloodless coup 2000 Bashar al-Asad (son) becomes president March 2011-Present Syrian Civil War : rebels revolt against govt. Syrian Civil War

Reasons for revolution President Bashar al-Assad: followed in the same footsteps as his dad Large divide between rich and poor Population growth Corruption Violence against the citizensViolence New media made this possible (Twitter, facebook, texts, pictures, videos) NEWS PAPERS

Afghanistan Mid-1800’s Durand Line creates boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan dividing Pashtuns. –politically dividing two ethnic groups who live on both sides of the border (India all over again) –one of the most dangerous borders in the world smuggling of weapons Kidnappings and murders are frequent How does this lawless land hurt/help America’s was on terrorism?

1978 communist govt. created Mujahideen fighters (Muslim Afghan opposition youth groups trained in Pakistan) Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan (Soviets defeated) Afghan Civil War = Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan Taliban (Islamic militant political group created from religious schools for Afghan refugees in Pakistan)

Taliban rule of Afghanistan Strict Islamic law = Human rights violations Al-Qaeda based in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom Allied invasion of Afghanistan overthrow Taliban and est. Democracy Taliban insurgency and Peace Talks