History of the Middle East

“The Extras”

The Arab LeagueDefinition: 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)

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

Iran-Iraq War• Began Sept. 22, 1980 when Iraqi President

Saddam Hussein orders invasion of Iran• Ended Aug. 20, 1988 with a cease-fire

agreementAdditional 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

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

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

Terrorism

Arab Spring