History of the Middle East

1. History of the Middle East “The Extras”

2. The Arab League Definition: an organization of 22 Middle Eastern and African nations where Arabic is the spoken language that promotes political, economic, cultural, and social relations among members • Additional Information: • founded in 1945 • council of representatives from member states work to settle disputes peacefully • has had difficulty living up to goals • ARABSAT (satellite systems)

4. O.P.E.C. Definition: an association of 12 countries that depend heavily on oil exports for their incomes and work together to increase revenue from oil exports. • Additional Information: • founded in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela • OPEC nations produce 40% of world’s oil • OPEC nations possess 70% of world’s oil • OPEC have a direct impact on world oil prices along with: world conflict, global demand, and stock market speculation

6. Iran-Iraq War • Began Sept. 22, 1980 when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein orders invasion of Iran • Ended Aug. 20, 1988 with a cease-fire agreement • Additional Information: • longest war between two nations in the 1900’s • Reasons for the war: • - Iraq thought Iran was in a weak state • - Iraq (and other Arab nations) feared • Iran’s Shiite revolution • - Iran and Iraq had territorial disputes • - Iraq saw a chance to control Iran’s oil

8. The Persian Gulf War • Began in response to President Saddam Hussein and Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on Aug.2, 1990 • U.N. coalition bombing began Jan. 17, 1991 • Coalition forces launched ground attack into Kuwait and Southern Iraq in February • U.N. coalition ended military operations Feb. 28, 1991 • Additional Information: • first international crisis after Cold War • tested U.S. and Russia’s ability to cooperate • split Arab world between Iraq & Coalition • Results in Iraq: environmental issues, refugees, casualties, revolts, economic hardships

10. The Iraq War • Began March 2003 when the U.S. and coalition of 39 nations launched an invasion of Iraq • Mid-April 2003 Saddam Hussein and Iraq’s govt. fell • U.S. President George W. Bush ends combat operations May 1, 2003 • Operation Iraqi Freedom: • May 2003 to August 2010 • 2004 Sunni violence against Shia Iraqi govt. and U.S. forces • 2007 U.S. adds troop build-up • Aug. 31, 2010 U.S. ends combat operations • Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. troops expect to leave Iraq

12. Terrorism

13. Arab Spring