Overview of Middle Eastern Countries

Syria Part of Ottoman Empire until 1918 French and British take over until 1947 Independence led to Civil War / Internal

Conflict Ethnic and Religious divisions – 60% Arab

Sunni Muslim, 11% Alawites Shia Muslims, 9% Arab Christians, 8% Kurdish Sunni Muslims

Syria Civil War 1970 – Present Country ruled by Alawites

Shia Muslims – Bashir Al Assad dictatorship Arab Spring began in 2010 Civil War- Sunni Rebels rise up against Assad

regime Atrocities committed by both sides Civil War continues

Radical Political Groups and Militant/Insurgent Groups Hezbollah- Radical Shiite group founded by Iranians

influencing Lebanon, Syria, and Iran Hamas- Extremist Sunni group involved in acts of terror and

politics pushing for Palestinian Nation Al-Qaeda- Extremist Sunni Terrorist organization with cells

throughout the world Taliban- Strict group of Sunni Muslims controlling parts of

Afghanistan ISIS / ISIL- Islamic State of Iraq and the Syria /Levant-

Extremist Wahhabi Sunni Group

Afghanistan “A place where

empires go to die.” Ethnic / religious

divisions Difficult terrain and

climate Long history of

conflict

Political Unrest in Afghanistan Towards end of Cold War 1979 invasion by Soviet

Union U.S. covertly backs

Mujahideen- Strict Islamic group of Afghani rebels

About 5-6 separate rebel Afghani groups

1989 Mujahideen with CIA backing forces Soviet Union out

Vacuum of power led to ethnic conflict / civil war

Foreign Assistance to Afghanistan U.S. Funding provided with help

of Congressman Charlie Wilson Money and weapons funneled

through Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan (keep it a Cold War)

Saudis including Bin Laden go to Afghanistan for Jihad

Saudis matched U.S. financial aid with private and gov’t spending

Aid went directly to President Zia of Pakistan and ISI (Pakistan’s version of FBI and CIA)

War in Afghanistan 1996 Bin Laden moves to

Afghanistan 1998 Taliban emerges from

Civil War as government Taliban aided by Bin

Laden and Al Qaeda 9/9/01 Ahmad Shah

Massoud (moderate) assassinated by Taliban

9/11 attacks planned in Afghanistan

2001 Taliban shelters Bin Laden after 9/11

Current Conflict in Afghanistan

2001 Taliban shelters Osama bin Laden and other members of Al-Qaeda

October 2001 U.S. forces invade and help establish new gov’t

Hamid Karzai emerges as leader.

Current Conflict Taliban reemerges along Pakistani border Corruption in Karzai administration President Obama announces surge Bin Laden killed in Pakistan Hearts & Minds / Afghanization

Map of the Disputed Area

Iran (Shia majority) Europeans fought over oil

in early 1900s 1950-1970s Reza Shah

encouraged westernization leads to his exile

1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis, Ayatollah Khomeini emerged as leader

1986 Iran Contra Scandal Currently tension between

U.S. and Iran over Iraq and policies of current leader Mahmoud Ahmedinejad,

Background of Saudi Arabia Birthplace of Islam 1916 Great Britain

encourages independence from Ottoman Empire

1936 Oil discovered and the Saudi Royal Family builds ties with U.S. and Europe

Current Issues in Saudi Arabia 1990s Sided with U.S.

and Kuwait against Iraq during Persian Gulf War

Currently maintains strong economic ties with U.S.

Growing problems with Muslim extremists and terrorist groups

Current Issues Al Saud family possesses

all political power Strict censorship / No

political parties Osama bin Laden

originally from Saudi Arabia

Majority of 9/11 hijackers from Saudi Arabia