Why did the US oppose Iraq invading Kuwait?

1. Why did the US oppose Iraq invading Kuwait?

2. Conflicts in the Middle East

3. Georgia Performance Standards SS7H2 The student will analyze continuity and change in Southwest Asia (Middle East) leading to the 21st century. d. Explain U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia; include the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

4. U.S. Interest and Presence in the Middle East • Why do we care what is going on in the Middle East??? • OIL!!!!!!!!! • What are is another reason for a U.S. presence there (other than protecting our oil)? • Fighting terrorism (to keep U.S. citizens safe) and to protect our ally, Israel

6. Persian Gulf War • Also known as Operation Desert Storm • When: August 1990-March 1991 • Who and What: Iraq invaded Kuwait • Iraq felt that Kuwait really belonged to them after the breakup of the Ottoman Empire • Iraq accused Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil by drilling under border between the two countries

7. Persian Gulf War (cont.) • U.N. response—demanded that Iraq withdraw troops from Kuwait. They used an embargo first, but then the U.S. and other countries began sending troops to Saudi Arabia over next few months • U.N. set date for Iraq to leave Kuwait • Iraq rejected date and would not back down, remaining in Kuwait after date • Because of the threat to the oil supply, January 1991, the U.S. joined 38 other countries and defeated the Iraqi army in less than two months • Iraq was directed to recognize Kuwait’s sovereignty and destroy all weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)-weapons having capacity to kill large numbers of people; includes chemical and biological weapons

9. Persian Gulf War (cont.) • After Saddam surrendered, there were 4 sanctions (similar to punishments) against Iraq: 1. forbidden to rebuild military 2. must allow United Nations weapons inspectors to search for WMDs 3. money from Iraqi oil sales was supposed to go directly to humanity purchases such as food and medicine for the Iraqi people. 4. No-fly zones were established to prevent Iraqi air attacks against neighboring countries

10. 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq • Because Saddam did not comply with these sanctions, the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq occurred • Also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom • When: 2003 and ended in December 2011 • 2002—U.S. Congress passed Iraq War Resolution that authorized president to go forward with war in Iraq • March 2003—U.S. bombed targets in Baghdad • Great Britain and several other mainly European countries joined forces with the U.S. • The Iraqi government collapsed quickly because Hussein was seen as a cruel leader

11. 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq (cont.) • Hussein was captured and his rule ended • He was also responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. • His death sentence was carried out later in 2006 • Things did not get any easier for the U.S. after this as civil wars between the Kurds and other ethnic groups and between the Sunni and Shia Muslims • As of 2007, more than 100,000 civilian Iraqis and 4,000 U.S. soldiers have died (more than 30,000 have been wounded) since invasion • U.S forces have withdrawn from Iraq and were sent to Afghanistan

12. U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan • September 11, 2001—al-Qaeda flew planes into the Twin Towers and Pentagon, more than 3000 died • Al-Qaeda—group of radical Islamic terrorists based largely in Afghanistan. Their goal was to end western influence in the Middle East (Osama bin Laden was the main organizer) • President George W. Bush called on other countries to help wage war on terrorism

13. U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan (cont.) • Oct. 2001—U.S. and British troops invade Afghanistan in search of Osama bin Laden • The Taliban (radical Muslim government) terrorized the people in Afghanistan and had allowed al-Qaeda to operate for years • Soon after the invasion, the Taliban collapsed, but U.S.-led forces still struggle to control portions of country and help rebuild their country and government • In May of 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed by Navy Seals while he was hiding in Pakistan

15. Questions • What is the United States’ main economic interest in SW Asia? • Oil • Tourism • Trade routes • Selling American-made products

16. Questions • What is the United States’ main economic interest in SW Asia? • Oil • Tourism • Trade routes • Selling American-made products

17. Questions 2. Why did the United Nations try to stop Iraq from taking over Kuwait in 1990? • The U.N. wanted to destroy the country of Iraq • The only job of the U.N. is military action around the world • The economies of many countries depend on oil and Iraq’s actions threatened that supply • The U.N. has to intervene whenever any member nation has a conflict with another country

18. Questions 2. Why did the United Nations try to stop Iraq from taking over Kuwait in 1990? • The U.N. wanted to destroy the country of Iraq • The only job of the U.N. is military action around the world • The economies of many countries depend on oil and Iraq’s actions threatened that supply • The U.N. has to intervene whenever any member nation has a conflict with another country

19. Questions 3. Who are the “Taliban”? • The government of Iraq • The government of Kuwait • A group of radical Muslims • A part of the United Nations

20. Questions 3. Who are the “Taliban”? • The government of Iraq • The government of Kuwait • A group of radical Muslims • A part of the United Nations

21. Questions 4. Why did the U.S. bomb and invade Afghanistan in 2001? • Afghanistan invaded the country of Kuwait and threatened the United States’ supply of oil • The U.N. asked the United States to overthrow the Taliban government • The U.S. was afraid that Afghanistan was working to develop nuclear weapons and they wanted to put a stop to the program • They believed the government was offering safety to al-Qaeda, the organization that attacked the U.S. on 9/11

22. Questions 4. Why did the U.S. bomb and invade Afghanistan in 2001? • Afghanistan invaded the country of Kuwait and threatened the United States’ supply of oil • The U.N. asked the United States to overthrow the Taliban government • The U.S. was afraid that Afghanistan was working to develop nuclear weapons and they wanted to put a stop to the program • They believed the government was offering safety to al-Qaeda, the organization that attacked the U.S. on 9/11

23. Questions 5. Why did the U.S. go to war against Iraq in 2003? • Iraq was threatening Afghanistan with nuclear weapons • The U.N. believed Iraq was about to invade Kuwait a second time • Iraqi troops launched an attack on Saudi Arabia, a close ally of the U.S. • The U.S. government saw the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, as a threat to peace and the United States’ interests in the region.

24. Questions 5. Why did the U.S. go to war against Iraq in 2003? • Iraq was threatening Afghanistan with nuclear weapons • The U.N. believed Iraq was about to invade Kuwait a second time • Iraqi troops launched an attack on Saudi Arabia, a close ally of the U.S. • The U.S. government saw the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, as a threat to peace and the United States’ interests in the region.