Middle EastMiddle EastWarm Up:Warm Up:

Why should the US be involved in the Why should the US be involved in the Middle East?Middle East?

To what extent should we be involved To what extent should we be involved there?there?

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History of Middle EastHistory of Middle East

Most people first Most people first learned about the learned about the Middle East through Middle East through the Bible.the Bible.

It is the Birthplace of It is the Birthplace of three of the major three of the major world religions.world religions. JudaismJudaism ChristianityChristianity IslamIslam

Islamic EmpiresIslamic Empires

By the 1500’s the By the 1500’s the Ottoman Turks had Ottoman Turks had ruled over the ruled over the regions from the regions from the Persian Gulf to the Persian Gulf to the Western end of Western end of North AfricaNorth Africa

Safavids had a Safavids had a thriving empire from thriving empire from 1501-1736.1501-1736. Capital of Isfahan had Capital of Isfahan had

400,000 people in it.400,000 people in it.

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Middle East meets WestMiddle East meets West Protestant Missionaries Protestant Missionaries

came to the Middle East to came to the Middle East to convert the Muslims to convert the Muslims to Christianity.Christianity.

U.S. saw the Middle East U.S. saw the Middle East through these peoples through these peoples eyes.eyes.

Middle East fell behind Middle East fell behind when other countries went when other countries went through their industrial through their industrial revolutions.revolutions.

Ottomans were pushed out Ottomans were pushed out and taken over around the and taken over around the turn of the century.turn of the century.

In 1912 Britain and Russia In 1912 Britain and Russia had taken control of Iran.had taken control of Iran.

World War IWorld War I Destroyed Ottoman Empire Destroyed Ottoman Empire

for good.for good. Britain and Russia Britain and Russia

occupied parts of the occupied parts of the Middle East at different Middle East at different times during the war.times during the war.

British kept control after British kept control after the war.the war.

Britain and France signed a Britain and France signed a secret treaty to decide how secret treaty to decide how the Ottoman Empire would the Ottoman Empire would be split up after the war.be split up after the war. Sykes-Picot Treaty:Sykes-Picot Treaty: France and Britain split France and Britain split

Arab provinces between Arab provinces between themselves.themselves.

U.S. and the Middle East after WWIU.S. and the Middle East after WWI Arab leaders liked Wilson’s views, Arab leaders liked Wilson’s views,

especially League of Nationsespecially League of Nations They liked the idea that was based on self-They liked the idea that was based on self-

determination.determination. The US did not approve the Treaty, and did The US did not approve the Treaty, and did

not join the LONnot join the LON After that fell through at the Paris Peace After that fell through at the Paris Peace

Conference, Britain and France kept their Conference, Britain and France kept their pieces.pieces.

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Oil PoliticsOil Politics The contest for control The contest for control

of the Middle East was of the Middle East was driven by their oil.driven by their oil.

The United States The United States were oil giants during were oil giants during that time and started that time and started looking over seas.looking over seas.

The Arabs were The Arabs were reluctant at first to sell reluctant at first to sell their oil but by 1933 their oil but by 1933 they agreed upon a 60 they agreed upon a 60 year deal with year deal with Standard Oil Company.Standard Oil Company.

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Why were European and U.S. Why were European and U.S. leaders so concerned about access leaders so concerned about access

to oil?to oil? Coal powered WWI, most knew that Coal powered WWI, most knew that there would be a large demand for oil there would be a large demand for oil throughout the world.throughout the world.

US was a major oil giant (2/3 world’s US was a major oil giant (2/3 world’s oil production)oil production)

US looked for more reservesUS looked for more reserves

Pacts and promises in the Middle Pacts and promises in the Middle East during WWIEast during WWI

Pacts and Pacts and PromisesPromises

Who Agreed?Who Agreed? What did they What did they agree to?agree to?

Balfour Balfour DeclarationDeclaration

IsraelisIsraelis

UKUK

USUS

To establish a To establish a national home national home for Jews in for Jews in PalestinePalestine

British British promises to promises to Sharif HusseinSharif Hussein

UKUK

Sharif Hussein Sharif Hussein (Ruler of (Ruler of Mecca)Mecca)

UK agreed to help UK agreed to help setup an independent setup an independent Arab state across all Arab state across all areas of the Ottoman areas of the Ottoman Empire. In exchange, Empire. In exchange, Hussein began a Hussein began a rebellion against the rebellion against the Ottomans in Arabia Ottomans in Arabia (This helped the Allies (This helped the Allies win WWI).win WWI).

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Why were some U.S. government Why were some U.S. government officials concerned by support of officials concerned by support of

Israel in 1948?Israel in 1948? ““Zion” is a Hebrew word for the Land Zion” is a Hebrew word for the Land

of Israel. Zionism is the movement of Israel. Zionism is the movement for an independent Israeli state.for an independent Israeli state.

Arabs are strictly anti-Zionist.Arabs are strictly anti-Zionist. The politicians were concerned due The politicians were concerned due

to a fear of an Arabic backlash.to a fear of an Arabic backlash. Based on today’s world, they were spot Based on today’s world, they were spot

on.on.

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Egypt’s Gamal Abd al-Nasser (also Egypt’s Gamal Abd al-Nasser (also spelled Gamal Abdel-Nasser) was the spelled Gamal Abdel-Nasser) was the most prominent voice of Arab most prominent voice of Arab nationalism. He campaigned for nationalism. He campaigned for “Pan-Arabism,” the unification of “Pan-Arabism,” the unification of Arabs into a single state. This leader Arabs into a single state. This leader skillfully played the U.S. and the skillfully played the U.S. and the USSR off one another.USSR off one another.

Six-Day War Participants and Six-Day War Participants and outcomeoutcome

Countries involved Countries involved in the six day war: in the six day war: United Nations, United Nations, Arabia, IsraelArabia, Israel

Outcome: Set Outcome: Set stage for next stage for next round of fighting in round of fighting in the middle eastthe middle east

Cole KoeppenCole Koeppen

October war of 1973October war of 1973

Participants: Participants: EgyptEgypt SyriaSyria IsraelIsrael United StatesUnited States

Outcome:Outcome: Brought United Brought United

States chief States chief concerns in the concerns in the middle east to a middle east to a boiling point. boiling point.

Nixon shortly after Nixon shortly after approved for a approved for a resupply effortresupply effort

Outcomes of Camp DavidOutcomes of Camp David

Camp David Accords brought Egypt Camp David Accords brought Egypt securely into the U.S. camp in the securely into the U.S. camp in the Middle East.Middle East.

At the same time, countries who At the same time, countries who opposed the treaty, such as Syria opposed the treaty, such as Syria and Iraq, moved further into the and Iraq, moved further into the Soviet Camp.Soviet Camp.

Why did the U.S. support the Shah Why did the U.S. support the Shah of Iran?of Iran?

The U.S. supported the shah of Iran The U.S. supported the shah of Iran because of his political, military, and because of his political, military, and oil interests.oil interests.

The shah was tied to Washington The shah was tied to Washington through his own complicated past.through his own complicated past.

The United States and IranThe United States and Iran Islamic clergymen were in the best position to Islamic clergymen were in the best position to

encourage resistance to the shah’s regime. encourage resistance to the shah’s regime. In 1978, they organized protests against the shah.In 1978, they organized protests against the shah.

The shah responded in force and ordered the army and The shah responded in force and ordered the army and police to smash the protest. police to smash the protest.

In September, they opened fire on a crowd in In September, they opened fire on a crowd in Tehran, Iran’s capital, killing or wounding 2000 Tehran, Iran’s capital, killing or wounding 2000 demonstrators. demonstrators.

Pahlavi faced public hostile public opinion and lost Pahlavi faced public hostile public opinion and lost the support from the military and soon lost the the support from the military and soon lost the will to hold on to power. will to hold on to power.

The spiritual leader of Iran’s Islamic movement, The spiritual leader of Iran’s Islamic movement, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returned to Iran the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returned to Iran from exile in France.from exile in France.

The Goals of KhomeiniThe Goals of Khomeini

Khomeini wanted to transform Iran Khomeini wanted to transform Iran into his vision of a pure Islamic state.into his vision of a pure Islamic state.

He ordered women to cover He ordered women to cover themselves for head to toe when in themselves for head to toe when in public.public.

Khomeini branded the US as the Khomeini branded the US as the “great Satan.”“great Satan.”

He claimed that Washington was He claimed that Washington was plotting a counter-revolution.plotting a counter-revolution.

Ayatollah Ruhollah KhomeiniAyatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

November 1979November 1979

Iranian students seized the U.S. Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran. embassy in Tehran.

For over a year, they held the U.S. For over a year, they held the U.S. embassy staff as hostages.embassy staff as hostages.

Carter’s attempt to rescue failed.Carter’s attempt to rescue failed. The U.S. Cold War policy for Iran had The U.S. Cold War policy for Iran had

clearly failed.clearly failed.

Oil MarketOil Market

The Iranian Revolution touched off The Iranian Revolution touched off another panic in the oil market. another panic in the oil market.

Iran was the second largest oil Iran was the second largest oil exporter.exporter.

By the end of 1978, the foreigners By the end of 1978, the foreigners who managed much of Iran’s oil who managed much of Iran’s oil industry were evacuated and Iranian industry were evacuated and Iranian oil exports had ground to a halt. oil exports had ground to a halt.

The Iran-Iraq WarThe Iran-Iraq War The outbreak of war between Iran and Iraq in The outbreak of war between Iran and Iraq in

Sept. 1980 further limited world oil supplies.Sept. 1980 further limited world oil supplies. Saddam Hussein hoped to take advantage of an Saddam Hussein hoped to take advantage of an

Iranian army weakened by revolution to seize a Iranian army weakened by revolution to seize a disputed waterway spilling into the Persian Gulf.disputed waterway spilling into the Persian Gulf.

He also wanted to prevent the spread of Iran’s He also wanted to prevent the spread of Iran’s Islamist revolution elsewhere in the Middle East.Islamist revolution elsewhere in the Middle East.

He aimed to deliver a quick knockout blow that He aimed to deliver a quick knockout blow that was focused on Iran’s oil facilities. It failed was focused on Iran’s oil facilities. It failed though. though.

Iran counter-attacked but couldn’t defeat Iran counter-attacked but couldn’t defeat Hussein’s impressive military.Hussein’s impressive military.

For the next eight years, the war seesawed back For the next eight years, the war seesawed back and forth. and forth.

The U.S. Position in the warThe U.S. Position in the war

The administration of President Ronald The administration of President Ronald Reagan remained neutral during the war Reagan remained neutral during the war but did not want a victory by Iran’s but did not want a victory by Iran’s Islamist government, which was clearly Islamist government, which was clearly hostile to the U.S.hostile to the U.S.

The U.S. gave Iraq military intelligence and The U.S. gave Iraq military intelligence and loans to buy advanced U.S. weapons. loans to buy advanced U.S. weapons.

Washington also helped Kuwaiti ships sail Washington also helped Kuwaiti ships sail under the U.S. flag.under the U.S. flag.

The U.S. positionThe U.S. position The U.S. led an international arms embargo The U.S. led an international arms embargo

against Iran.against Iran. The U.S. made deals with Iran, which damaged The U.S. made deals with Iran, which damaged

the credibility of the U.S. in the Middle East. the credibility of the U.S. in the Middle East. By 1988, when Iran and Iraq agreed to By 1988, when Iran and Iraq agreed to

ceasefire, the war had taken more than one ceasefire, the war had taken more than one million lives. million lives.

It cost each country involved 500 million It cost each country involved 500 million dollars and it wasn’t a victory for either side, dollars and it wasn’t a victory for either side, and the war didn’t resolve the disputes which and the war didn’t resolve the disputes which started it. started it.

The First Persian Gulf War The First Persian Gulf War Reshapes U.S. PolicyReshapes U.S. Policy

Suddam Hussein complained about Suddam Hussein complained about Kuwait taking oil he thought belonged Kuwait taking oil he thought belonged to Iraq.to Iraq. He also claimed that Kuwait was holding He also claimed that Kuwait was holding

down oil prices to slow Iraq’s economic down oil prices to slow Iraq’s economic recovery from the Iraq-Iran war.recovery from the Iraq-Iran war.

The leader of Kuwait had warned The leader of Kuwait had warned Hussein about the dangers of using Hussein about the dangers of using force and eight days later 100,000 Iraq force and eight days later 100,000 Iraq troops crossed into Kuwait.troops crossed into Kuwait.

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How did the end of the Cold War How did the end of the Cold War affect U.S. actions toward Iraq?affect U.S. actions toward Iraq?

U.S. was scared to get too involved U.S. was scared to get too involved with Iraq during the Cold war.with Iraq during the Cold war.

Hours after Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Hours after Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Soviet Union had cut off arms Soviet Union had cut off arms shipments and joined the U.S. in shipments and joined the U.S. in supporting the UN.supporting the UN.

U.S. troops were placed in Saudi Arabia U.S. troops were placed in Saudi Arabia to stop further advances.to stop further advances.

European allies and several Arab states European allies and several Arab states started an international military force.started an international military force.

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How did U.S. citizens think the U.S. How did U.S. citizens think the U.S. should respond to Iraq?should respond to Iraq?

The thoughts were split.The thoughts were split. U.S. worried about terrorism and U.S. worried about terrorism and

casualties of Americans.casualties of Americans. The idea to rekindle Arab was feared The idea to rekindle Arab was feared

to deepen hostility towards U.S. to deepen hostility towards U.S. throughout the Middle East.throughout the Middle East.

Bush had won approval to use “all Bush had won approval to use “all necessary means” to force Iraq out necessary means” to force Iraq out of Kuwait.of Kuwait.

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What happened in the Persian Gulf What happened in the Persian Gulf War?War?

Suddam’s army was no Suddam’s army was no match against U.S.match against U.S.

Twenty-eight nations with Twenty-eight nations with UN approval retook UN approval retook Kuwait’s capital.Kuwait’s capital.

Ordered to totally destroy Ordered to totally destroy Iraq’s army.Iraq’s army.

One of the most lopsided One of the most lopsided conflicts in history.conflicts in history.

Hundreds of oil wells were Hundreds of oil wells were destroyed by Iraqi troopsdestroyed by Iraqi troops

Only 146 American deaths.Only 146 American deaths.

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What were the effects of the What were the effects of the Persian Gulf War on the U.S. role Persian Gulf War on the U.S. role

in the Middle East?in the Middle East? U.S. won greater U.S. won greater

influence in the Middle influence in the Middle East.East.

Persian Gulf Persian Gulf governments looked governments looked to U.S. for leadership.to U.S. for leadership.

U.S. was needed to U.S. was needed to guard the Persian Gulf guard the Persian Gulf nations.nations.

U.S. presence angered U.S. presence angered many people like many people like Osama bin Laden and Osama bin Laden and his followers.his followers.

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The EndThe End