Understanding Middle Eastern Conflicts: Oil, Islamism, and the Arab-Israeli Struggle

1. Today’s Warm-Up • Pick up the reading packet by the turn-in tray and flip to the map on the last page. • We’ll be referring to this map throughout class notes today 

2. Today’s LEQ: How and why has the Middle East evolved through time? Conflicts in the Middle East

3. Introduction… • Over the last few decades major conflicts have erupted in the Middle East • Some general regional issues have contributed to these conflicts: • The presence of huge oil reserves • Growth of Islamism • Conflict between Israel and its neighbors

4. Oil in the Middle East • 2/3 of the world’s known oil reserves are located here and have provided a great source of wealth • Most of the regions oil-rich countries belong to OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries • OPEC regulates the production of oil exports to maximize revenues

5. Oil in the Middle East • Oil wealth has allowed for economic development but is also the source of conflict • Some governments have used oil revenues to build up their military, maintain power, and threaten their neighbors • Led outside nations to become involved

6. Growth of Islamism • Islamism = a movement to reorder government and society according to Islamic laws • Islamists believe Muslim countries strayed away from the path of true Islam • Anti-Western • This has led to conflicts within society and government • Extremists have used violence to bring about the changes they want

7. Conflicts with Israel • Since Israel was established in 1948, most Middle Eastern countries refused to recognize its right to exist • A series of wars between Israel and its neighbors led to the expansion of Israel Refer to map on page 557

8. Six-Day War • In 1967, Egypt demanded that U.N. troops leave Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula • Expecting a large-scale Arab attack, Israel struck first • Israel launched air strikes against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, destroying most of their airplanes on the ground

9. Results of the Six-Day War • Israel quickly defeated Arab forces and took control of the Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem

10. Yom Kippur War • Determined to win back their territory, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel in 1973 • At first, Arab troops made gains in the war – Israel unprepared • With U.S. support, Israeli forces regrouped and pushed back the Egyptian and Syrian armies

11. Results of the Yom Kippur War • After weeks of fighting, both sides agreed to a cease-fire • During the war, Arab members of OPEC declared an oil embargo (refusal to sell oil) oncountries supporting Israel – including the U.S. • What do you think happened as a result?

13. A Peace Agreement • Egypt and Israel make peace in 1978 in an agreement known as the Camp David Accords • Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt • The treaty ended 30 years of hostility between Egypt and Israel

14. The Conflict Remains Unresolved • Despite the many years of war in the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli conflict remains unresolved • Each war, regardless of which side initiated it, has ended in the status-quo – Israel is still a sovereign and powerful state and tension still exists • Ultimately, neither move was decisive enough to bring about an end to the larger Arab-Israeli conflict

15. Palestinian Unrest • As Egypt and Israel made peace, Palestinian Arabs continued their struggle for nationhood • Extremists on both sides have worked hard to undermine the peace process • Where are we today?

16. Today’s Exit Ticket • Respond to the key question: What issues besides political boundaries and religion have had an important impact on the Arab-Israeli conflict?