1. Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq
The Fertile Crescent
Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq

2. Jordan
Jordan’s history is tied into the conflict of Israel. Israel gets West Bank, Jordan loses it and its money and farmland.
A constitutional monarchy – Ruled by a king, but the people are protected.
½ of population are former Palestinians who have become a large part of Jordan’s politics and economy.

3. Lebanon
Beautiful beaches, nice climate. The capital, Beirut, once called "Paris of Middle East”.
1958 & 1975 – Civil War between the Christians and Muslims causes chaos.
1980s PLO enters Lebanon, Israel attacks, America intervenes. Lebanese Muslims bomb U.S. embassy. For 12+ years it is true anarchy.
Peace has been restored since 2000.

4. Syria Syria has always been prosperous due to good farmland.
Turkey has been damming Syria’s main water source, the Euphrates. This could devastate the country.
Was run by a dictator until 2000, when the new president began political and economic reform.

5. Iraq (Part 1) Originally Mesopotamia, 1st Civilization.
Most of land sits between Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Fertile soil, good crops.
Oil discovered in 1920’s, Iraq quickly modernized, rebuilt ancient city of Baghdad.
1980 – War with Iran. Hussein attacks Iran, Iran counterattacks. Iraq has better weapons.
Oil fields destroyed, US steps in. UN calls ceasefire. Both countries left in heavy debt.

6. Iraq (Part 2)
Hussein attacks Kuwait for more oil. US and others step in. Iraq defeated, 85,000 soldiers and thousands of civilians killed.
Ceasefire ends war. Iraq breaks it, US responds with oil embargo. Caused great economic loss in Iraq.
After 9/11/01, US suspects WMD in Iraq, others urge further investigate. US ousts Hussein in 1 month. What is next?