Middle East Post 1945

The Holy Land (Palestine-Israeli conflict)

• Decolonization begins shortly after WWII • 1946 – Britain recognizes Jordan’s independence • 1948 – Britain’s mandate over Palestine ends – 1948 Israel is created (Zionist movement) – Palestine never got a homeland (did not accept the UN partition)

• Creation of the Arab League • In order to promote Arab interests and to counter Israeli influence • Egypt was the dominate figure early (they became a republic in 1953 • Egypt’s leader was Gamal Abdel Nasser (56-70) – He offered guidance to other Arab states wanting independence

• Also during post WWII period, a move toward Islamic Fundamentalism also occurs (to counter western influence)

Arab-Israeli Conflict • First conflict began before Israel was a country (1947) – against (250,000 Arabs left or were expelled) • Israel knew they would be attacked, so they set out to quickly strengthen the military, economy, and the government. • 1948 Arab-Israeli War: Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon (Morocco, Sudan, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia also sent troops) – • Egypt gained control of Gaza, Jordan over East Jerusalem and West Bank. Another 700,000 Arabs fled Israel (Palestinian refugees – still a major question) • 1956 – Israel joins with Britain and France in a war against Egypt over control of the Suez Canal. (the alliance wins, but the USA and USSR make them give it back to Egypt)

6 Day War • 1967 Egypt, Syria, and Jordan cut off Israel, kick out the UN and mass troops on the border • June 5, 1967, Israel launches attack against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan • Israel quickly dominates the Arab forces – within 6 days Israel occupies Sinai peninsula, Old Jerusalem (West Bank), and Golan Heights • [US supported Israel – USSR supported Arab Nations] • US and USSR don’t want to go to war – so they try to solve situation diplomatically • Israel would give territory back • Israel wanted unequivocal recognition as a sovereign state

Yom Kippur War • Oct 6 1973 – Egypt and Syria attack Israel – Israel is losing • Israel counter-attacks – crossing the Suez canal and getting within 25 miles of Damascus • USSR threatens intervention – USA gets Israel to stop – UN arranged ceasefire. • Jan 1974 – Israel and Egypt sign agreement • May 1974 – Israel and Syria sign agreement • First direct Israeli-Arab talks since 1948

• Arabs come out of 73 war with improved morale – They discovered the “oil weapon” – OPEC led oil embargo on the West

• Oct 1973 embargo begins, embargo lifted March 1974 (targeted USA and Netherlands – for their support of Israel during war) • Price rose from $3 to $12 a barrel ($.38 to $.55 a gallon) (gasoline rationing – no sales on weekends)

(tangent) • OPEC = • Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries • Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Venezuela – (Mexico, Norway, Russia follow OPEC’s lead)

• US foreign dependence on oil: • (thousands of barrels/day) – – – – –

2,455 Canada 1,532 Mexico 1,485 Saudi Arabia 1,361 Venezuela 1,134 Nigeria

• 5,980 from OPEC nations, 7,489 non OPEC nations • (The USA is the 3rd largest producer of oil in world (Saudi Arabia, Russia, USA)

Egypt Israeli Detente • Sept. 1975: Second pact – land given back, agree not to use force against each other • Nov. 1977: Egyptian Pres. Sadat flies to Jerusalem for talks • Pres. Carter invites Sadat and P.M. Begin (Israel) to US – Sept. 78: Camp David – resulted in a framework for permanent peace treaty • Israel gave back all of Sinai – West Bank was still in question • Egypt recognized Israel • Borders were opened, ambassadors exchanged, Suez opened to Israel • Sadat was assassinated Oct 6, 1981 by his own military http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS288US290&q=sadat%20assassination&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#

Beirut, Lebanon • • •

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Large Christian and Muslim population 1970’s – the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) under Yasser Arafat was HQ’ed in Lebanon Civil War: Christians had held majority until Palestinians arrived – by 1975, the balance shifted – Christians supported by Syria vs. Muslims (& Palestinians) – Ceasefire in Oct 1976 1978 – Israel began attacking PLO in Lebanon 1981 PLO launch rockets into Israel – Israeli airstrikes into Beirut 1982: Israel invades Lebanon – surround Beirut – Palestinians leave with French, Italian, and US protection 1983: US Marine barracks bombed: 241 Americans killed – (US pulls out) Christian president of Leb. Is killed (bomb) Lebanese Christians (with Israeli help) massacre hundreds – Palestinian refugees By 1995 – Beirut began to recover. Still have to deal with Syrian interference in their politics

Iran • Prior to WWII, Britain and the USSR competed • Post WWII, the USA replace Britain • 1941: Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is Shah (with British and Soviet help) • After the war he asked that all foreigners leave • USSR begins military build-up on border – Iran’s communist party becomes active (the Shah flees in 1953) • 1954 – the CIA backs a coup and restores the Shah – for 25 yrs. Iran is an “independent” ally of USA. • The Shah tries to rapidly modernize Iran - faces opposition

Iranian Revolution • Shah leads a “reign of terror” for 7 years – smashing the opposition • The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini leads opposition • Jan 1979, Shah flees Iran (dies in Egypt in 1980) • Ayatollah Khomeini becomes leader • Opposes Western culture and influence • Created a theocratic state (the Koran) • USA was the “Great Satan” • Nov 1979: US embassy attacked – 53 hostages taken – held for 444 days (Carter loses election)

Iran – Contra Affair • Began as a weapons for hostage exchange (secret). • Israel sold weapons to “moderate” Iranians – Israel would then buy weapons from the USA – in exchange the Iranian would try to get the release of 6 US hostages (held by Hezbollah) • Ended up being a straight arms for hostages deal • By 1985, a portion of the money was being used to support the “Contras” in Nicaragua

Iran-Iraq War 1980 - 88 • • • • •

For control of the Persian Gulf Iraq (Saddam Hussein) invaded Iran Iran was on the offensive form 82-88 Iraq attacked USS Stark (killing 37) Iran (and Iraq) mined the Persian Gulf (USS Roberts hit a mine) • USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air flight 655 killing 290 (accidentally) • Iraq used chemical warfare – against Iranian troops, civilians and their own Kurds • Neither side gained territory

Persian Gulf War • Iraq had long standing issues with Kuwait – thought Kuwait was a province of Iraq • Kuwait’s borders (drawn by Britain) were meant to constrict Iraqi access to Persian Gulf – these borders were continually in dispute • Iraq attacked and annexed Kuwait in 1990 • US led a coalition of 34 nations against Iraq • February 1991 the war is over – Iraq lost, but it was a negotiated peace

Osama bin Laden (briefly) • Joins the Mujahideen and fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan beginning in 1979 • Funneled Arab troops into Afghanistan – wanted separate Arab units (not mixed with Afghans) – forms al Qaeda • Returns to Saudi Arabia in 1990 as a hero (who defeated the Soviets) • Met with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia at beginning of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait – and told him not to count on non-Muslim help • Osama bin Laden hated the idea of westerners on Saudi soil (the holy places of Islam) – thus began his attacks on the west • Involvement in Bosnia, Sudan, Aden, Afghanistan (Taliban), and the US.

Balance of Power • There exists a delicate balance of power in the Middle East. • No country wants any other country to have to much power or influence • The USA (and the rest of the world) also wants to maintain the balance of power in the region • The idea of any one country becoming too powerful is a concern