Us interest and involvement in southwest asia SS7H2 – d. Explain U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict, invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why does America care about sw Asia? U.S. found vast supply of oil in Middle East American scientists looking for oil in Saudi Arabia in the late 1920s Played diplomatic role following break-up of Ottoman Empire Supported creation of State of Israel in 1948 Drill hits oil for the first time in Saudi Arabia (1938)

oil Conflict Over Oil – one of the main US interests in Southwest Asia (the Middle East) is economic – Oil, also known as petroleum, is found in the largest quantities on Earth in and around the Persian Gulf.

Persian Gulf War August 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait for their oil Saddam Hussein claimed Kuwait should have been part of Iraq Creation of Kuwait in 1920 eliminated coastline from Iraq United Nations and United States got involved because large portions of oil come from Kuwait This effort was known as Persian Gulf War or Operation Desert Storm

Why did the Us become involved in the Persian gulf war in 1991? A. to eliminate the Taliban from Afghanistan B. to remove Iraqi soldiers from Kuwait C. to gain control of oil fields in eastern Saudi Arabia D. to avenge the Iranian hostage crisis The answer is B

War in Afghanistan 2001-2014 After 9/11/2001 tragedies, the U.S. began military action in Afghanistan Al-Qaeda: terrorist organization responsible for the attacks Osama bin-Laden was born in Saudi Arabia but lived in Afghanistan and carried out the attacks of 9/11 Taliban was name of government in Afghanistan and they allowed Al-Qaeda to hide Al-Qaeda was trying to end western influence in the Middle East https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrEXibbXqUs 5 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpa3Tsva4aw 8.5 minutes

War in iraq 2003 - 2011 United States invades Iraq claiming Saddam Hussein had chemical weapons Remember Saddam Hussein has used chemical weapons in the past Operation Iraqi Freedom Saddam Hussein government collapsed quickly Problems followed due lack of a plan to reorganize the country Different religious and ethnic groups are competing with each other for power as they try to reorganize

End of an era. The dictatorship of saddam Hussein is over End of an era. The dictatorship of saddam Hussein is over. Government toppled in 2003. Three weeks after US invasion!

Voting is a privilege –not a right Voting is a privilege –not a right! First democratic elections in Iraq 2005