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Middle East after WWII May 3, 2010
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Demand for oil after WWII HIGH
U.S. & Soviet Union exit WWII superpowers Cold War Democracy (U.S.) vs. Communism (USSR) U.S. & USSR compete for control of Middle East BOTH supplied $$$ aid & weapons U.S.: aid countries so they WON’T turn communist USSR: aid countries so they WILL turn communist
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U.S. fears: Weapons & Extremist groups Causes of Extremism:
After Cold War (1989) Concern over weapons in Middle East Iran, Iraq, Israel Nuclear weapons Chemical/ biological weapons U.S. fears: Weapons & Extremist groups Causes of Extremism: Lack of democracy Turn to violence to oppose oppressive gov’t 2. Poverty/ social inequality Civil Wars Anger over westernization Hate laws, women’s rights, fashion, media
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GOAL: end power of western oil companies over oil prices
OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Counties 11 oil-producing countries GOAL: end power of western oil companies over oil prices How much oil to produce How much to sell at POWER Oil prices affect EVERYTHING Law of Supply & Demand Supply HIGH – Demand LOW Charge LESS Supply LOW – Demand HIGH Charge MORE
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But…Don’t want to cut supply
Raise prices??? Cut supply But…Don’t want to cut supply Not a lot to sell LESS $$$ No OPEC Mexico/ Russia OPEC Losing Power 1980s – 1990s Iran-Iraq War Persian Gulf War Main Issue: OIL
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1980: Iraq invade Iran (border disputes)
Iran-Iraq War 1980: Iraq invade Iran (border disputes) 8 years Million deaths Destroyed everything BOTH sides 1988: Cease-Fire Still don’t like Still no peace agreement Persian Gulf War Dictator: Saddam Hussein Debt & want more OIL Invade Kuwait 1990 U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia (presence – no fighting) Operation Desert Storm Air raid Iraq surrender Leave Kuwait Hussein still allowed to be dictator of Iraq
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