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The Middle East today. Iraq. Most of the country is between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers Farming was the main activity until the 1920’s Oil fields discovered Billions spent on development of country (roads, hospitals, airports, universities, irrigation….). Oil wealth and war.
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Most of the country is between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers • Farming was the main activity until the 1920’s • Oil fields discovered • Billions spent on development of country (roads, hospitals, airports, universities, irrigation….) Oil wealth and war
War with iran 1980-1988 • Iraq seeking to become dominant power • Stalemate: many lives lost, no territory gained • Iraq couldn’t ship it’s oil, so had to buy weapons on credit • U.S. support against Iran • Iraq heavily in debt
Whoops. That guy on the left? That’s Donald Rumsfeld. Twenty years after this he would orchestrate the war against Saddam.
Hussein declared Kuwait part of Iraq (for it’s oil) • Coalition of Western forces drove them out in 1991 • Economic sanctions (can’t sell it’s oil) • 85,000 dead soldiers • Baghdad badly damaged The first gulf war: 1990
“Empty Quarter” = desert the size of Texas No bodies of fresh water Biggest oil reserves of any country The arabian peninsula-mosts and leasts
Before oil • Fishing on the coasts • Farming and herding at the oases • Bedouin nomads herded in the deserts Changing lives
Enormous wealth • People move to the cities • Live in modern, AC houses • Executives, engineers, programmers Discovery of oil in the 30’s
Much money/few people = improved standard of living • Health care is nearly free • 22 Desalination plants • Seawater into freshwater modernization
Oil reserves have 30-60 years left • Countries are starting to look to other industries (banking, chemicals…) • Require many foreign workers • In some countries, more foreign workers than citizens The future
Different from other countries – Islam but NOT Arabic Different languages, different ancestors Turkey and iran
Scholars and Merchants from the Middle East introduced the Turks of Central Asia to Islam. When the Turks began conquering the Middle East, they came as Muslim warriors. Language and culture are Turkish, NOT Arab. Turkey
WWI ends in 1918, and winners divide up Ottoman Empire • Mustafa Kemal led a revolution against the Sultan – declares Republic of Turkey in 1923. • Modernization- separation of church and state • Outlawed fez, veils • Women could vote, hold office. Everyone could attend school The “Father of the turks”
Unstable economy since the ’60s Constant conflict between secular and Islamic groups for control Battles with Kurdish separatists in SE Turkey Despite this- most industrialized country in Middle East One of the only freely elected governments in the M.E. Turkey today
Persians arrived in Iran 3,000 years ago Empire was conquered by Arabs in 600’s Islam and iran
Part of the Islamic Empire until about 1200 AD. Most Persians converted to Islam, but kept Persian heritage Speak Farsi, not Arabic
1925- Army officer Reza Khan seizes power and declares himself Shah • At this time, most were nomadic herders or farmers • Shah opens schools, builds roads/railroads, encouraged industry and gave more rights to women • His son continued modernization Modernization
1979- Ayatollah (religious leader) Khomeini seizes power • Rejects anything seen as “western” • Westerners deported, women back to traditional garb • Strict adherence to Sharia- Islamic law The islamic revolution
Shah tells Shi’ite minorities in all Islamic countries to rise up against Sunni oppressors. Leads to long, bloody, pointless war with Iraq 1980-88. Fundamentalism leads to war
Led by President Ahmadinejad- conservative who many have accused of election fraud Labeled by the UN as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” UN Security Council calling for Iran to stop Uranium enrichment program High rates of human trafficking, drug shipping Iran today
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 2/3 of land is rugged and mountainous They speak a dialect of Farsi Afghanistan
One of the poorest nations in the world-near the bottom in every indicator War and instability keep economy down Biggest export is opium, 93% of the world’s supply Afghan economy
Social and communal roles are based on kinship groups and Islamic tradition Soviet domination – Islam was the way to express opposition 80% of the nation is Sunni Afghanistan
Many empires have controlled this area: Persians, Alexander the Great, Turks, Arabs, Persians again, the Mongol Hordes, Turks again, British, Russians, and finally-themselves. Afghan history
Rose to power as a reaction to warlord-ism and lawlessness following Soviet occupation. Full power by 1998 Strict interpretation of Sharia- atrocities against non-believers, minorities and women. 1990s- provided sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaida The taliban
Bin Laden launched many terrorist attacks during the 90’s, culminating in 9/11 After refusing to turn him over, a Western Coalition invaded Afghanistan in Oct/2001 The Taliban fell apart, and Kabul fell one month later – troubles were just starting Taliban
85% of people work in agriculture –many in poppy fields Many are beginning to work towards legal crops Unemployment still around 40% Life expectancy around 44 years, high infant mortality – although numbers are improving U.S. support of health care and education Afghan people
