1 Southwest Asia and North Africa
2 Physical Geography - Middle East: Climate Regions
3 Physical Geography - The Middle East: Natural Vegetation
4 Physical Geog - The Natural Resources of the Middle East
5 Where are there Fresh Groundwater Sources?
6 What resources are in the Middle East?Fresh Water Limited supplies in most countries Desalination plants – remove salt from water Dams - hydroelectricity Irrigation - for farming Petroleum/Oil Most countries either have oil or make money from it (refining it or pipeline fees) ½ of world supply of petroleum is in Middle East How does this affect you?
7 What is Oil? Why is it Important?Produced from microscopic marine plants and animals, squeezed underground for millions of years. Oil is a “finite resource” Once it is used up, it is gone forever. Nobody is certain how much is left. Oil is used for many things: Fuel, (gasoline, jet fuel, heating oil) All plastic is made from petroleum Asphalt used in road construction Synthetic rubber in tires Fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides Detergents, many drugs, and paints Artificial fibers used in clothing (Nylon, Polyester)
8 Global Oil Production
9 What is OPEC ? OPEC - “Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries” Controls the price, production and distribution of oil. 66% of world reserves of oil, 40% of world oil production
11 CONFLICT: Iran, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf
12 Iraq and Iran – NOT THE SAMEETHNIC GROUP ARABS PERSIANS LANGUAGE ARABIC FARSI ISLAMIC SECT 20% SUNNI, 80% SHI’A 90% SHI’A GOVERNMENT DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ISLAMIC THEOCRACY CAPITAL BAGHDAD TEHERAN LOCATION WEST EAST RELATION TO USA FRIENDLY OPPOSED
13 USA in the Persian Gulf Why are we there?To protect the flow of oil to the world, mostly. We need it, and that is where it comes from. There are other reasons, but this is probably the most significant. What have we done there? The USA has supported dictators, overthrown governments, sold weapons to both sides in a war, and fought wars. What resulted from this? USA is mistrusted in the region, involved in a long war, and facing terrorism at home. Was it worth it? Maybe. Gotta have the oil, after all.
14 Why is there conflict with Iran?1950’s-1970’s, USA supported the “Shah” (Emperor) of Iran because he was anti-Communist. He was a harsh ruler. In 1979 an Islamic Revolution happened, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, opposed to the USA. They took 50+ American hostages, held them for almost a year and a half. Iran has opposed the USA on Israel, Iraq, and nuclear weapons. The Iranian government calls the USA the “Great Satan”. Iran was once Persia, a great empire, and it wishes to resume importance on the world stage. They are currently threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz/Persian Gulf, due to international sanctions against them. https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/iran.aspx
15 What are the Gulf Wars? Conflicts between the USA, Iraq, and Iran to control the Persian Gulf. Alliances shift – today’s ally is tomorrow’s enemy! IRAN-IRAQ WAR ( ): Iran vs. Iraq; Chemical weapons used by both sides, possibly a million people died. US supported Iraq and Saddam Hussein, but covertly sold weapons to Iran. GULF WAR (1991): US vs. Iraq; Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait to take the oilfields. USA and coalition fought to protect Saudi and Kuwaiti oilfields. War stopped by UN with Saddam Hussein still in power. IRAQ WAR ( ): US vs. Iraq; USA and allies invaded Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein. Sectarian fighting between Shia vs. Sunni vs. Kurds. US withdrew in 2011.
16 Kurds and Kurdistan The Kurds are a people who live in the Middle East, about 30,000,000 in all. They have their own language and culture, and a separate identity as Kurdish people. They have no country of their own, instead living scattered across a dozen other countries, including Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. They are in conflict with several governments, as some wish to create a separate Kurdish country, called Kurdistan. Kurds often point to the Jews and the creation of Israel as an example.
17 The Arab Spring
18 The “Arab Spring” RevoltsThe Arab Spring is a wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world starting in late 2010. Revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt Civil war in Libya resulted in fall of its government Civil uprisings in Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen, resulting in resignation of Yemeni prime minister Major protests in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and Oman Minor protests in Lebanon, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Western Sahara. Clashes between Israel and Palestine along border posts also inspired by Arab Spring.
19 Arab Spring Revolts The protests have shared techniques of civil resistance, as well as the use of social media (Facebook and Twitter) to organize and coordinate. Many demonstrations have met violent responses from authorities, as well as from pro-government militias and counter-demonstrators. Improvised riot helmets in Tahrir Square (Egypt)!!!
20 Results of the Arab SpringAs of January, 2013, the following changes have resulted from the Arab Spring:
22 CONFLICT: Israel and the Arab World
24 “Occupied Territories”Places to Know Israel – Jewish state, founded in 1948. “Occupied Territories” West Bank – Palestinian area between Jerusalem and Jordan River, run by FATAH. Gaza Strip – Palestinian area on Mediterranean coast, run by HAMAS. Golan Heights – Syrian territory, occupied by Israel for military reasons in 1967. Sinai Peninsula – Part of Egypt, captured by Israel in 1967, given back to Egypt in 1979 as part of peace agreement.
25 Creation of Israel Zionism- Political movement for a Jewish homeland. Jews to return to “Promised Land”. Organized by Theodore Herzl in 1897. Why? Jews faced persecution and genocide throughout their history. Worldwide sympathy for Jews after WW2. Jews started moving to Palestinian region in 1890’s – 1930’s. Conflict with local Arabs over land, water, business.
26 How was modern Israel created?United Nations settled on Palestine for a Jewish Homeland Why Palestine? Ancient kingdom of Israel, “Promised Land” Not very crowded in the 1940’s Controlled by Britain, which was willing to give it to Jews Political movement by Zionists, already settling there 1948 – UN Resolution 181 divided Palestine into 3 sections: Israel – for Jews Palestine – for Arabs Jerusalem – run by UN for all groups Immediately triggered the 1948 war, first of many Arab-Israeli wars.
27 Arab-Israeli Wars Israel believes it has a right to exist.Arab nations feel that Israel was forced upon them by the West. Both sides became part of the “Cold War”, aggravating the issue. Arabs and Israelis fought several large wars and many small ones. The three most important ones are: 1948 – “War of Independence”/Nakba: Arab armies invaded, Arab refugees fled, hoping to return after war. Israel won. These refugees became today’s Palestinians. 1967 – Six Day War: Egypt, Syria prepped for war, but Israel hit first. Total win for Israel, occupied lots of territory, including West Bank, Gaza, and Golan Heights, and captured Jerusalem. 1973 – Yom Kippur War: Arab militaries struck Israel during holiday, when Israeli military was on leave. Close call for Israel, which relied heavily on US support. Israel won. Major wars ended after Camp David Agreements ( ), peace between Egypt and Israel, later Jordan. Other Arab countries still officially hostile, but no large wars since.
29 Jerusalem Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It has been fought over for thousands of years. In the 1967 “Six Day War”, Israel captured the entire city, and made it the capital of Israel. Part had previously been controlled by Jordan. The Palestinians see it as part of the West Bank, and thus belonging to them. The “Western Wall”, part of the ruins of the main temple of Judaism, is considered the holiest site by Jews. The “Dome of the Rock” is a mosque where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven. Both sites are on the same hill, with constant tensions between Jews and Muslims.
30 Occupied Territories The Palestinian controlled territories of West Bank and Gaza are both crowded and poor. Travel and business are difficult due to the large number of security barriers and checkpoints put into place by Israel. Occupied territories are further divided up by Israeli settlements and roads only usable by Israelis, especially the West Bank. This builds resentment and leads to frequent violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, especially Hamas.
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32 Religion and the Middle East
33 What three major religions began in Middle East?Judaism, Christianity, Islam Called “Religions of the Book”, or “Abrahamic Religions”, all related traditions. Major events of Old Testament, New Testament, and Quran all happened in Middle East and North Africa. Islam is now the dominant religion of the region, and has been since around 700AD.
34 “Kaaba” in Mecca, site of pilgrimage.
35 Why are women covered up?Islam encourages modest dress. Different cultures interpret this differently, and require different things from women. Some women see it as subjugation, some see it as proper. Not all countries follow the same customs, nor do all women in a country follow the same customs. Some places it is a choice, others it is the law. In a few places, it is enforced with violence against women. Head covering is called Hijab. Only the eyes exposed is called Niqab. Head to toe is called Burka.