The Modern Middle East

Syria• Damascus is believed to be the oldest city in the

world• Led by a socialist government, Syria still refuses to

recognize Israel’s right to exist and is suspected of harboring terrorist organizations

• 90% Arab • 74% Sunni • Syria has little oil but other

mineral deposits

Lebanon• Formerly controlled by France, became independent

in the 1940s• Divided along religious lines• Civil War between Muslim and

Christian groups lasted 20 years

• Syria funded and armed Muslims, continue to heavily influence Labanese government

Jordan

• Became fully independent from Great Britain in the 1940s

• Ruled by a monarchy with some democratic reforms

• Few oil reserves• Many Jordanians are

Bedouins, Arab speaking nomadic herders

Saudi Arabia

• Nearly all (85%) Saudis are Arab Sunni Muslims, about 15% are Shiite

• Ruled by a monarchy (the Saud family) since 1932

• The world’s largest oil reserves

• Society ruled by Islamic law

Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait

• These countries’ wealth based on oil reserves• The United Arab Emirates are actually several Arab

kingdoms that have united for their mutual benefits• Dubai has become a center of commerce and

tourism

Iraq• In 1979 Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq• Invaded Iran in 1980

– the war lasted for 8 years– Iraq was funded by the US,

Iran by the USSR• Invaded Kuwait in 1990

– Repelled by multi-national force

– International sanctions placed on government

• Invaded by the United States in 2003

• Currently occupied by the United States

Israel• Israel was created by the UN in 1947 after the

Zionist movement gained support around the world• It has been at war or in open conflict with its

neighbors ever since• Israel’s government is a parliamentary

republic (like Great Britain)• It is mandatory in Israel to serve in the

military for one year at age 18• Israel is about 80% Jewish, 20% Muslim• Israel continues to struggle with the

Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, as well as with the future of Jerusalem

Palestinian Territories• Originally set aside by the UN as areas for a Palestinian

homeland, they were rejected by the Palestinians and lost during the Six Day War

• Gaza– Small area of land along the Mediterranean coast– Overcrowded– Massive unemployment

• West Bank– Western bank of Jordan River– Agricultural land– Many Jewish settlements

• East Jerusalem– Control of Jerusalem is

disputed • Palestine & Israel have been

engaged in an ongoing conflict since their creation in 1947

Iran• Formerly known as Persia• Ruled by Shahs (king) from 1921 to 1978• Islamic revolution in 1979 led to Theocracy, put

Mullah’s in power, led by Ayatollah Khomeini• Majority of Iranians shiite• Shariah as law• Iran continues to reject Israel

and openly supports terrorist organizations

Afghanistan• Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union in the

1980s

• In the mid-1990s a radical Muslim group, the Taliban, took over

• After September 11, 2001, attacks, U.S. and British forces attacked Taliban and al Qaeda targets and defeated the Taliban

• The new government has a new constitution, new voting regulations, and includes women.

• Afghanistan is still occupied by the US

• The Taliban and al Qaeda are still fighting in Afghanistan

The “Stans”• Central Asia is comprised of several

relatively new nations that have broken away from the former Soviet Union

• The “Stans” are home to many ethnic groups living in an incredibly harsh landscape

• Several of these nations are home to huge reserves of oil

• The suffix “stan” means “land”

OPEC

• Organization of the Oil Exporting Countries• Set prices and production levels of oil in

member nations• 13 member nations (Middle East, Africa,

Southeast Asia, South America)• Started by Venezuela in the 1960s