The United States interest in the Middle East

1. The United States interest inthe Middle East SS7H2d. Explain US presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq

2. What's so Interesting??? • In your notes, quickly write down 3 reasons why you think the United States would have interest in the Middle East..

3. Lets take a closer look…. • Iraq • Persian Gulf War • Afghanistan

4. Persian Gulf War • USA has had interest in Iraq since 1990… • 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait (Persian Gulf War) • Saddam Hussein wanted control over Kuwait's oil fields • Saddam wanted more access to Persian Gulf

5. Persian Gulf War • The United States responded as an ally of Kuwait. • To prevent Saddam Hussein from having power/ oil. • Along with other nations, USA recaptured Kuwait in 1991. • Operation Desert Storm • Air attacks and ground forces forced Iraqis out of Kuwait

6. Persian Gulf War • Before leaving Kuwait Iraqi forces set fire to oil rigs causing an immense amount of economic damage to Kuwait's Oil industry.

7. United Nations Responds • The United Nations (UN) imposed a trade embargo when Iraq invaded Kuwait. • This prevented Iraq from exporting goods • Remained even after the Persian Gulf War • Removed when WMD destroyed… • UN inspection left in 1998 • 85% were destroyed • Some believed Hussein was hiding WMDs.

8. Afghanistan: First Stop in the War on Terror • Taliban on the rise in Afghanistan • An extreme religious sect of Islam • The Anti- American Taliban sheltered Al Qaeda terrorist group. • Leader: Osama bin Laden

9. Taliban/ Al Qaeda: Attack on America • September 11th, 2001 • Terrorist Attack on USA • World Trade Center, Pentagon • US government held bin Laden responsible • Considered attack as an act of war

10. United Sates responds • November 2001 • US ground forces entered Afghanistan to disarm the Taliban and find bin Laden • At first efforts were successful and US was helping rebuild new democracy in Afghanistan. • HOWEVER…. bin Laden still remains unfound and Taliban has retreated to Pakistan and still attacks Afghanistan • Suicide bombers • Roadside bombs • Attacks on US and international military posts

11. Back to Iraq • After UN inspection, some US leaders still believed Saddam Hussein had WMD. • Saddam didn’t comply with inspectors. • 2003 US, Britain, and other countries invaded Iraq. • Iraqi government fell and the war was over in less than 2 mos. • Hussein was captured, tried, and put to death

12. Back to Iraq • Temporary government was put in place until constitution was written. • Still have roadside bombs, attacks on US forces, unemployment, civilian deaths and injuries, and Sunni/ Shia battles • 2005 Iraqis took part of free elections to establish its democratic government. • US govt plans to keep troops in Iraq until Iraqi police and soldiers can keep country stable.

13. Review • Put these in the right order on your paper… • US ground forces landed in Afghanistan • Taliban rebuilds forces in Pakistan • Terrorist attack of September 11th 2001 • Taliban rises in power in Afghanistan • The United Sates helps form a new government in Afghanistan

14. Quick Review • The UN inspection team left Iraq in _____. • After the UN inspection team left Iraq, some American leaders were concerned that Iraq still had __________________. • Military forces from the US, Britain, and other countries invaded Iraq in ________. • _________ was captured, tried, and sentenced to death. • Battles still rage between _______ and ______ Muslims. • Iraqis voted in free elections in ________.

15. Quick Quiz • In 1990 Iraq invaded: • Iran b. Saudi Arabia c. Kuwait • Which country led the international coalition invading Iraq in 1991? • USA b. Israel c. Iran • Who imposed a trade embargo against Iraq? • UN b. USA c. OPEC • A UN inspection team was in Iraq for seven years finding and destroying these… a. Oil Fields b. Helicopters c. weapons