Diversity Brings Challenges

Europeans drew borders in the Middle East that divided the homelands of some people and

established a new country for the Jews. Kurds—who now live in parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and

Turkey—have been persecuted and would like to have their own country. Jewish people were

encouraged to settle in the former British Palestine, driving away the Palestinians who had lived

there and causing wars and tension in the Middle East.

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New Nations EmergeSection 4: The Modern Middle East

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Conflicts Over Resources and Religion

The oil reserves and regions of the Middle East have played important roles in world affairs.

OPEC Countries have used embargos to further political aims. Islamic extremists have tried to

topple the secular governments of some Middle Eastern nations. In many Islamic countries, the

opportunities for women and girls are limited.

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New Nations EmergeSection 4: The Modern Middle East

Building Nations in the Middle East

Middle Eastern nations have faced challenges since World War II. Nationalist Egyptian leader

Gamal Abdel Nasser led two wars against Israel, while his successor, Anwar Sadat, made peace

and brought the country closer to the U.S. Islamists caused problems for Sadat and for his

successor, Hosni Mubarak.

Building Nations in the Middle East continued

American support of Iran’s Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the shah’s land redistribution

program brought opposition from landowners and the Islamic clergy. Eventually the country

became an anti-Western Islamic republic. Saudi Arabia is ruled by the Sa’ud family who follow

Sunni Islam. The U.S. supports the royal family in return for favorable terms in the oil trade. This

relationship has caused attacks within Saudi Arabia and opposition to the royal family.

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