CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY’S LEQ: HOW HAVE REGIONAL ISSUES CONTRIBUTED TO CONFLICTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

MAIN IDEA… Over the last few decades major conflicts have erupted in the Middle East Regional issues contributing to these conflicts: –Conflict between Israel and its neighbors –Growth of Islamism –Disputes over natural resources

GROWTH OF ISLAMISM Islamism = a movement to reorder gov’t and society according to Islamic laws –Islamists believe Muslim countries strayed away from the path of true Islam –Anti-Western Extremists have used violence to bring about the changes they want

REVOLUTION IN IRAN By the 1970s, Iran was modernized The shah had close ties to Western governments and oil companies Anti-Western Islamists opposed the shah

REVOLUTION IN IRAN Protests were led by Shiite religious leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini –Sunni vs. Shiite Muslims – differ on who was to lead the Muslim nation after the death of Muhammad –Sunni = majority (85%); Shiite = minority (15%) By 1979, the shah fled Iran Iran became an Islamist republic with Khomeini as its leader –Enforced strict social and religious values

IRANIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS In 1979, the shah went to the U.S. for medical treatment Iranian revolutionaries took 66 Americans hostage and demanded the shah be returned to Iran for trial –Held for over a year!

CONFLICT IN IRAQ Saddam Hussein assumed control of Iraq in 1979 –Supported secular government over sharia (rule by Islamic law) –Feared Khomeini would gain support from Iraq’s majority Shiite population and overthrow his regime Also at odds with Iran over the Shatt al-Arab waterway

IRAN-IRAQ WAR In 1980, Iraq (Saddam Hussein) attacked Iran Iran was an enemy of U.S. b/c of hostage crisis; we supported Iraq Turned into a war of attrition – 500,000 dead on both sides Iran and Iraq agreed to a cease-fire in 1988; ends in stalemate

OIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST Oil wealth allowed economic development but also major source of conflict –Some governments used oil revenues to build up military and threaten their neighbors –Led outside nations to become involved

SOVIET-AFGHAN WAR 1978, Afghanistan in a civil war between Afghan communists and Islamists Soviet Union feared overthrow of a friendly, communist neighbor and invaded Rebel forces led by Osama bin Laden fought to take back control (armed by weapons from the U.S.) By 1988, the Soviets left; series of civil wars ensued with the Taliban taking control by 1996

PERSIAN GULF WAR Early 1990, Iraq deep in debt from Iran-Iraq War – largest creditor was Kuwait, which had huge oil reserves Hussein accused Kuwait of drilling in Iraqi oil field & launched invasion in August 1990

PERSIAN GULF WAR UN & U.S. intervened War only lasted Jan. to Feb. of Retreating Iraqi’s set fire to oil wells in Kuwait

WAR ON TERROR After attacks on 9/11 Pres. Bush declared “Global War on Terror” –Term to describe military, political, diplomatic, and economic measures employed by U.S. and other allies against those committing terrorists acts Unconventional conflict – no boundaries, specific enemy, or clear end

WAR ON TERROR – INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN 9/11 terror attacks linked to Al Qaeda who received aid and shelter from Taliban regime in Afghanistan October 2001, U.S. and coalition forces invaded Afghanistan to capture bin Laden, destroy Al Qaeda, and overthrow the Taliban

WAR ON TERROR – INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN Results? –In May 2011, Bin Laden was found and killed in Pakistan –Taliban overthrown; Afghanistan had first presidential election in 2004 –Taliban still poses serious challenges for newly established Afghan government –Obama recently announced withdrawal of all U.S. troops by 2014

WAR ON TERROR – INVASION OF IRAQ In 2003, the U.S. suspected Iraq of hiding weapons of mass destruction that could be supplied to terrorist Hussein failed to fully comply with UN search, so U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq

WAR ON TERROR – INVASION OF IRAQ Results? –Invasion was extremely controversial – no ties to Al Qaeda or weapons of mass destruction found; support for George W. Bush and War on Terror declined –Hussein caught, tried, and executed in 2006 –Constitutional government set up with universal suffrage; most recent election was in 2010 –U.S. troops were removed by December 2011

ISIS Al Qaeda greatly weakened after U.S. invasion of Iraq; ISIS becomes the replacement Takes advantage of civil war in Syria and sets up “home base” “Waste of oxygen.” – Hannan

PERSEPOLIS Autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi depicting her childhood up to her early adult years in Iran during and after the Islamic revolution Persepolis was the ancient capital of the Persian Empire based in what is modern day Iran.