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CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. 1975-PRESENT. LEBANESE CIVIL WAR: 1975-1990. Influx of PLO fighters after “Black September” – 1970 Fighting breaks out in 1975 between Christian militias and Palestinians and their allies. Syrian troops sent in by Arab League in 1976; didn’t leave till last year.

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CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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  1. CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1975-PRESENT

  2. LEBANESE CIVIL WAR: 1975-1990 • Influx of PLO fighters after “Black September” – 1970 • Fighting breaks out in 1975 between Christian militias and Palestinians and their allies. • Syrian troops sent in by Arab League in 1976; didn’t leave till last year. • Israel invades South Lebanon in 1982; aids Christian forces. • Sabra and Shattila camp massacres. • War does not end until 1990. Lebanon’s economy and its capital, Beirut, left in shambles. • Govt. no longer dominated by Maronite Christians & Sunnis.

  3. PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE • Israel bombs Iraq’s nuclear facility at Osirak before it’s completed in 1981.

  4. SOVIETS INVADE AFGHANISTAN • Pro-Soviet govt. set up in 1973. • In trouble by 1978. • Brezhnev sends in over 100,000 Soviet troops to prevent Communist loss. US boycotts Moscow Olympics in 1980 in retaliation.

  5. REFUGEES • Three million Afghans flee to Pakistan, others to other countries, incl. US. Millions more are displaced.

  6. AFGHANS RESIST • Afghan tribesmen resist Soviets, who eventually control only the capital, Kabul • Starting in 1986, CIA arms these Muslim fighters with Stinger missiles that can shoot down Soviet helicopters • Muslim fundamentalists, incl. OSAMA BIN LADEN, flock there to fight “infidels,”

  7. SOVIETS LEAVE • GORBACHEV pulls out troops in1989 • Warlords fight among themselves for control • Group of religious students called ‘Taliban’ take over in mid-1990s.

  8. REVOLUTION IN IRAN • Before World War I Iran (Persia) was independent but under influence of British and Russians, who kept king (Shah) in power, prevented moves toward democracy. • In 1950s, new prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, proposed to nationalize oil industry. • CIA arranged a coup to overthrow him in 1953.

  9. SHAH OF IRAN • Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919 – 1980) • Promised constitutional monarchy • Increasingly took power from PM

  10. “KING OF KINGS” • Crowned himself: • Emperor in 1967 • Also crowned his wife: empress • (Note: Peacock Throne->)

  11. LEADERSHIP STYLE • Manipulation • Built loyal army • Expansion of constitutional powers • After assassination attempt • 1949 • Secret police: “SAVAK”: • Suppressed opponents • Helped rich at expense of poor

  12. COLD WAR • Ally of the West Bordering USSR. US supplies billions in military aid • Oil deal with U.S. • Opponents critical of subservience to US

  13. INCREASED OPPOSITION • From Shi’ite Muslims Western moderization: • Western clothing • Eliminated Qur’anic oaths Lack of democracy • Unresponsive to public opinion • Uneven distribution of wealth • Land reform

  14. INCREASED DISCONTENT • In 1970’s • Islamic clerics, esp. Ayatollah Khomeini • built on popular discontent • Demonstrations, riots, strikes • Tied these ideas to Islamic principles • Called for overthrow of the Shah

  15. REVOLUTIONARY IMAGES

  16. REVOLUTION! • Widespread demonstrations • 1978-’79 • Shah’s gov’t. collapsed • Jan. 16, 1979 • Shah fled Iran • Went to Egypt

  17. MORE……..

  18. AND MORE…

  19. ISLAMIC REPUBLIC • Or theocracy = gov’t which supports religion • Led by Rouhollah Khomeini …….. • Muslim “ayatollah” • Based on Islamic fundamentalism

  20. HOSTAGE CRISIS • Ill and exiled Shah admitted to US for medical treatment • Angry students seize American embassy in Teheran. • Take staff hostage, hold most for 464 days. • Begins Nov. 4, 1979, ends at midnight of Jan. 19, 1980, when Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as US president • US cuts ties to Iran, considers Iran’s regime to be major enemy in Middle East

  21. IRAN – SUPPORT FOR TERROR • Iran supports Hezbollah, a Shi’ite militia in the Lebanese Civil War • This summer, Hezbollah shelled Israel and Israel retaliated

  22. SIGNS OF LIBERALIZATION • Iran has popular elections, but council of senior clerics have the final say • Last president, Khatami, called for reform. • Young people also seem to want reform

  23. According to Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, countries have a right to peaceful nuclear technology Iran has taken no steps to directly produce any weapons. Iran’s past support for terrorism makes its intentions suspect to US. Present Pres., Ahmedinajad, has verbally attacked Israel’s right to exist and questioned Holocaust. Fear of nuclear war. Iran has often not cooperated with IAEA on its nuclear program IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

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