U.S. Relations in the Middle East Oil & Terror

Arab-Israeli Crisis

Arab-Israeli Crisis

• Israel is always on the defensive

• Terrorist strikes• Threats from neighboring

countries• USA sends Billions of $$ to

help keep the peace

Oil

Oil• USA totally dependent on oil for all

industry, factories, electricity, heating, and, yes, for gas in the car

• Most oil comes from the Middle East

• Middle East could dictate price of oil just by decreasing supply

Extremists (Islamists)

Extremists

• Religious leaders sometimes encourage extreme behavior

• Mobs often chant “death to America!”

• With enough $$ and power, another 9-11 could happen

• We are still THERE, in need of oil from their home turf

Disparity of

Wealth

Disparity of Wealth

• A few people live VERY well• Most people live in Third-world

poverty and filth• Most people lack any real

education• Is there hope for future for the

poor?

Disparity of Education

Disparity of education

• Education is the key to progress• Only the most wealthy get a decent

education• Most of the poor can’t afford

education, and can’t afford to lose farm hands.

Iranian Nuclear program

A nuclear Iran

• Iran is still an official enemy of USA• They are trying to build a nuclear

weapon• They HATE Israel more than US• Should we try to stop them? How?

Instability(civil wars)

Instability - wars

• Current threat: ISIS• Wars cause more poverty and

inequality• Wars can benefit some people• Wars breed hatred• Wars create refugees

Terrorism – what is it?

TERRORISM – a definition• Destructive actions meant to create dramatic

fear and to shift political support for a cause• Usually violent• Considered illegal• They usually target innocent people (civilians)• Terrorists usually say they are fighting for a

bigger cause

Civilian Targets

Suicide Bombing

Terrorists can act alone…

… or with a group

A quick history of Terrorism

• 66-72 AD - Romans attacked by people they controlled

• “terrorism” first used by French Revolutionaries to scare French people to stay “with” the revolution

• Terrorism is usually used by people who feel they are oppressed, and have no other means of getting attention for their cause

Terrorism in America

Ted Kaczynski, the "Unabomber"

Nationwide bombing campaign Between 1978 and 1995Opposed modern technology, industrializationMailed and planted homemade bombskilling three people; injuring 23 others.

Went to Harvard at age 16Was guinea pig in stress experimentsEarned PhD in math from Mich.Professor @ age 25, UC BerkeleyQuitRecluse in MontanaSent 16 bombs in 17 yearsIn prison for life

American Terrorist

Timothy McVeighOklahoma City bombingDetonated a truck bomb next toFederal Building in Oklahoma City, 1995.Killed 168 people and injured over 600Found guiltyExecuted quickly (four years)

He hoped to inspire a revolt against what he considered to be a tyrannical federal government.

Foreign terrorist in America, WTC 1993

Ramzi Yousef

World Trade Center bomber, 1993Car bomb - detonated below North Tower1,500 lb (680 kg) bomb intended kill 250,000 peopleIt failed, but killed six people and injured 1,042

Yousef sent letter to New York Times after the bombing:The bombing was “in response for the American support to Israel," And he hoped to show Americans the pain they caused to the Japanese in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Foreign terrorist, WTC 1993

Ramzi Yousef

"Yes, I am a terrorist, and proud of it as long as it is against the U.S. government and Israel, because you are more than terrorists; you are the one who invented terrorism and using it every day. You are butchers, liars and hypocrites."

Sentenced to 240 yrs in prisonYousef prayed almost every hour Made many attempts to convertCellmates on "Bomber's Row."

• Timothy McVeigh• Ted Kaczynsk

Yousef reportedly converted to Christianity in 2005.

TERRORISM in America:

9-11 attackAmericans were confusedMost had no idea anyone was mad at usMost Americans wanted revengeAMERICANS WERE ANGRY AT

• All of the MIDDLE EAST• All MUSLIMS

Where did terrorists come from?

• Small in number• Mostly made up of

VERY loyal Muslims• Most just want

“Western” things out of Middle East

• Problem: we depend on Middle Eastern Oil

Anti-TerrorismGoal – prevent terrorismPrepare and defend ourselves from themReact to them after they attack – keep others safe

Counter-TerrorismGoal – defeat terrorismDeny them the ability to attackFind and attack terrorists to eliminate them

EXAMPLE: AIRPORT SECURITY

EXAMPLE: TRACK DOWN TERRORIST RING & DESTROY

Goal of War on Terror

1. Find terrorists2. Deny terrorists funds3. Destroy terrorist

networks