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US Central Command Area of Responsibility

US Central Command Area of Responsibility. Overview. Area of Responsibility Religion Language Political Systems US Interests. Area of Responsibility. Hotbed of activity in recent history Iran Hostage Crisis Attacks on Marines in Beirut Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait OEF and OIF.

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US Central Command Area of Responsibility

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  1. US Central Command Area of Responsibility

  2. Overview • Area of Responsibility • Religion • Language • Political Systems • US Interests

  3. Area of Responsibility • Hotbed of activity in recent history • Iran Hostage Crisis • Attacks on Marines in Beirut • Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait • OEF and OIF

  4. Area of Responsibility • USCENTCOM established 1 Jan 83 • Focus on potential Soviet invasion of Iran gave way to concern over Saddam Hussein • Desert Shield/Storm • Humanitarian crisis in Somalia—Operation Provide Hope • Khobar towers attack

  5. Area of Responsibility • Territory • Establishment of USAFRICOM on 1 Oct 2008 pulled six countries from USCENTCOM • USCENTCOM currently responsible for twenty countries in Asia and Africa

  6. Area of Responsibility • History of the Region • The Crusades • Rise and Fall of Soviet Union • Establishment of Israel • Fundamentalist Islam and Militant Islamic Terrorism

  7. Religion • Home of three of world’s major religions • Judaism • Christianity • Islam • Commonalities • Abraham • Sacred texts • Jerusalem

  8. Religion • Dominance of Islam • Majority of USCENTCOM nations are Muslim • Except for five countries, 90% of countries’ population is Muslim • Five Pillars of Islam • Recitation of Creed • Daily Prayer • Almsgiving • Fasting • Pilgrimage to Mecca

  9. Religion • Sunni-Shi’a Split • Sunnis • 85-90% of Muslims • Abu Bakr succeeded Mohammed • Current imams not inspired • Shi’as • 10-15% of Muslims • Ali ibnAbiTalib succeeded Mohammed • Current imams are infallible manifestations of God

  10. Language • USCENTCOM AOR is linguistically diverse • Most common languages are Arabic and Persian • Great variety in regional and country dialects, e.g., Afghanistan has two official languages, Dari and Pashto • Arabic language somewhat standardized in Middle Eastern countries • Turkic languages—Kyrgyz and Kazak—are common in Central Asian nations

  11. Political Systems • Majority of countries are republican or democratic; however, some are only nominal representatives of democracies • Fallacy to assume all USCENTCOM nations are authoritarian or anti-Western

  12. Political Systems

  13. US Interests • Continued focus of Global War on Terror • Afghanistan and Iraq • Usama bin Laden killed in Pakistan • 200,000+ US military members serving in USCENTCOM AOR • USCENTCOM Mission • Respond to crises • Promote cooperation among nations • Deter/defeat state and nonstate aggression • Support development/reconstruction to establish the conditions for regional security, stability, & prosperity

  14. Summary • Area of Responsibility • Religion • Language • Political Systems • US Interests

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