More Info

More Info. On the Middle East A PowerPoint Presentation by Andrew T. Atkinson

A. The Middle East and the Cold War 1. U.S. and Soviets recognized the

strategic importance of the M.E. a) oil b) waterways 2. Soviets try to claim Turkey, U.S. backs Turkey a) Turkey will join NATO 5. During Cold War many ME nations tried to remain nonaligned. a) both sides send nations arms and aid

…Cold War cont.. 4. 1979 Soviet Union sends troops into Afghanistan to support communist gov’t. a) U.S. supplied arms to Afghan rebels b) 1988 Soviets withdrew troops

Power of OPEC 1. OPEC= Organization of Petroleum

Exporting Countries a) Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and 13 other nations. b) group decides how much oil to produce and what price to sell. 4. OPECs actions effect the world especially developing nations. a) many countries look for new energy options

C. Two Wars in the Persian Gulf 1. Iran-Iraq War a) Saddam Hussein invades Iran Goals are to take Shatt-al-Arab waterway Also wanted to end Iran’s support of Iraqi Shiities. b) over 1 million people died. c) war raised international concerns Soviets and US offered aid to Iraq. U.S. also secretly sold arms to Iran d) In 1988 both accepted UN cease-fire

…two wars in the Persian Gulf… 2. Persian Gulf War a) 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait Hussein claimed Kuwait belonged to Iraq b) Starts international crisiis UN imposed trade embargo against Iraq c) Jan. 1991 U.S. led coaltion targets Iraq d) by Feb. Iraqi forces surrender

…two wars in the Persian Gulf 3. Turning Point By 1991 the Soviet Union collapses a) Middle Eastern nations can no longer look for the Soviet Union for aid. b) U.S. is the only super power.