1. Political Geography of SW Asia
SSWG3 Evaluate how cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of the earth’s surface.

2. The Arabian Peninsula

3. Government in the Arabian Peninsula
Theocratic – religious leaders control gov’t
Gov’t now based on Shari’ah Law – Islamic law system
Government in the Arabian Peninsula

4. The Eastern Mediterranean

5. Refugees & Civil Wars 1948 War = large number of refugees
Civil wars in Turkey & Lebanon
Arab Spring (2011) – antigovernment uprising leading to civil war in Syria
Large number of refugees
Refugees & Civil Wars

6. The Northeast

7. Clashes Over Land Refugees fleeing oppression
Ex. Oppressive gov’ts in Afghanistan & Iraq
Conflict over oil rich lands
Persian Gulf War ( ): Iraq invades Kuwait in attempt to control oil fields
Clashes Over Land

8. Clashes Over Leadership
U.S. War on Terrorism fought in Afghanistan
2003 – U.S. declares war on Iraq & leader Saddam Hussein
Fear for national security
Clashes Over Leadership

9. Overthrow of the Taliban
Taliban – fundamentalist Muslim political group
Protecting Osama bin Laden & al-Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan
Operation Enduring Freedom (2001) – seize terrorist financial assets & destroy infrastructure
Removed from power by 2002
Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) – removal of Saddam Hussein from power due to his possession of weapons of mass destruction
Replaced with democracy & constitution in Iran
Overthrow of the Taliban