Contemporary Issues in Southwest Asia

1. Contemporary Issues in Southwest Asia World Studies

2. Overview • Today, Southwest Asia is at the center of many conflicts that are global in nature and have far reaching consequences. • As Americans, we find ourselves involved in and affected by these conflicts. • We will examine… • Arab- Israeli Conflict • Conflict over oil • Terrorism

3. Who is an Arab and who is an Israeli? • An Arab (pronounced Air-rib, not A-RAB) is a person who is a member of an Arabic speaking people. • Arabs are spread throughout the Middle East, and make up large parts of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Libya. • An Israeli is a person who lives in the country of Israel, usually a person of Jewish descent.

4. Issue #1: Arab-Israeli Conflict Background • Jews claim that modern day Israel is the land of their ancestors and it belongs to them (Old Testament) • Over the course of thousands of years, many Arabs had moved into this area and lived peacefully. • During this time, most Jews lived in Europe. • Following WWII and the Holocaust, many Jews returned to their ancient homeland, and with help from Great Britain and the U.S., created a Jewish state. • This led to a conflict between Arabs (Palestinians) and Jews lasting over 60 years.

5. The Conflict • The conflict has consisted of: • Military Actions (1948 war, 1967 war) • Terrorist Attacks (Munich, suicide bombing) • Human Rights Violations (Palestinian refugees) • Peace Talks

7. The Conflict Today • As of 2010, the conflict remains unresolved. • Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton both made attempts to bring each side together but were unsuccessful. • President Obama has stated that this is a priority for his administration as well, but nothing major yet. • Barriers to peace: • Israel unwilling to give up land • Tough talk from radical Arabs • Military action/ Terrorism • Cycle of violence • U.S. Involvement

8. Suicide Bombing

9. Peace Process

10. Flags

11. Issue #2: Oil Politics • Southwest Asia has 60% of the world’s oil reserves. • Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya. • Extremely important and profitable natural resource. • Liquid Gold • U.S. and other powerful western nations have strong desire for this resource. • Because of this, the U.S. has found itself involved in the politics and affairs of this region.

13. Key Events • 1953- CIA backed coup in Iran • Overthrow democratically elected socialist Mohammed Mosaddeq in favor of authoritarian Shah. • Why? Oil. • 1960- Formation of OPEC • Oil producing countries band together to stop western control of oil prices. • 1980- Iran/ Iraq War • Iraq (led by Saddam, supported by the U.S.) invades Iran. • Oil tankers are attacked; U.S. sends ships to protect. • 1990- Persian Gulf War • Iraq (led by Saddam, opposed by U.S.) invades oil-rich Kuwait, also threatening Saudi Arabia. • 2003-2010- Operation Iraqi Freedom (2nd Gulf War) • U.S invades Iraq: WMD’s, connection to 9/11? • No WMD’s, no connection to 9/11….OIL? • Saddam dead, new govt. friendly to the U.S.

14. Oil Politics Today • 40% of U.S. energy comes from burning of oil. • 2/3 of oil is imported. • 5% of population; 25% of oil consumption • U.S. oil allies: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq • U.S. oil enemies: Iran, Venezuela (not SW Asia) • China/ India: large populations, need for oil will increase. Potential conflict? Alternatives? • What’s next?

15. Kuwait oil field on fire

16. What’s in a barrel of oil?

17. Global Oil Use

18. Issue #3: Extremism/ Terrorism • In response to the conflict and inequality in SW Asia, many individuals and groups have resorted to terrorism. • Terrorism comes from the Latin word terrere, which means “to frighten.” • Terrorism uses violence or the threat of violence to achieve goals. • THE GOAL OF TERRORISM IS TO FORCE A CHANGE IN GOVT. OR SOCIETY. • There are many examples of terrorism, but we will focus on terrorism related to SW Asia.

19. Why do people/ groups resort to terrorism? • They have been mistreated and feel terror is fair retaliation (violence=more violence) • A need for immediate action. • They are out numbed and out armed…no way of winning an official war. • They feel their opinions have been ignored by national and/or international governments. • Formal methods have failed.

20. Terror in Southwest Asia • Arab- Israeli Conflict • Israeli army • PLO…Palestinian govt. or terrorist org? • Hamas…Terrorists or freedom fighters? • Suicide bombings, hostages • Why? Conflict over land in Israel. • Al-Qaeda • Radical Islamist group led by Osama bin Laden • Global, well-funded, well-coordinated attacks • Responsible for 9/11, Madrid, London, U.S. embassies in Kenya and Somalia. • Why? Jihad (holy war) against western capitalism/ retaliation for western (U.S.) involvement in SW Asia.

21. Impact of Terrorism Today • War in Afghanistan • 9/11 attacks planned in Afghanistan • Disrupt Al-Qaeda network, find bin Laden • Stabilize government • Longest war in American history • Post- 9/11 America • New awareness of world around us • Increased security (airports) • Justification for military action (Iraq, Yemen) • Border security • Fear (media, politics) • Post- 9/11 World • Terror/ conflict still exist • World on edge

22. Osama bin Laden

23. Sept. 11th, 2001

24. Nairobi, Kenya

25. Double Standard?