Pre/Post 9-11 Terrorist Attacks

Iranian Revolution 1979

Embassy and Barracks Bombings in Beirut

1983

Pan Am Flight 1031988

World Trade Center 1993

Somalia 1993

Strategy vs United StatesUse of Media

Americans will tire of conflict

Public pressure on politicians to withdraw

Oklahoma City 1995

Khobar Towers 1996

Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania

1998

USS Cole2000

9/11/2001

“Shoe Bomber”December 2001

Bali Nightclub Bombings2002

Madrid Train Bombings2004

London Bombings7/7/2005

2006 Transatlantic Plot“Liquids”

Christmas Day Underwear Bomber 2009

Historical Background

Study Guide Key Concept #1

Crusades

• Christianity v Islam

• Atrocities on both sides

• Led to religious tension

Post WWI colonialism (creation of Iraq) led to territorial tensions and

a mistrust of western powers.

Post WW1 Colonialism

Post WWI Colonialism

1. The British and other countries maintained colonial interests in the region.

2. Many promises made; few were kept.

3. Fueled mistrust and skepticism of the west.

Oil in the Middle East• In the early 20th

century, oil was discovered in Iran.

• The British government assisted private businesses in developing oil fields and production.

• The race for the “greatest prize in all of history” was on.

Oil in the Middle East1930’s : U.S. geologists discover oil in

Saudi Arabia

Large scale production following WWII

¼ of the world’s oil reserves

World War II and Beyond• The U.S. was producing most of the

oil for the Allied war effort.• The government began looking

elsewhere to secure access to oil.• The Middle East was seen as one of

the best places to secure this access.

**Access to oil = National Security

U.S. Involvement inthe Middle East

The Enemy of my Enemy…

The Creation of Israel (1947)

Consequences• Land taken from Palestinians

• Led to more territorial tensions

• Arabs vs Jews

• U.S. allied with Israel (money, weapons)

1941The Shah Comes to power in Iran

amid chaotic social issues(U.S. Backed)

Iranian Revolution 1979• The Shah was

unresponsive to social problems.

• He received assistance from the U.S. in an internal power struggle. Secured U.S. access to oil.

• Muslim cleric Ayatollah Khomeini rallied popular support and overthrew the Shah.

• Theocratic Rule. Strict interpretation of Islam.

Hostage Crisis• 88 hostages taken and held for 444

days.

• Failed rescue mission in 1980.

• Iran v Iraq 1980

• Hostages released 1/20/1981 (Reagan)

1979-1989 USSR v Afghanistan

• Payback for Vietnam

• U.S. sends money, advisors, and weapons to Afghanistan. Immediate and dramatic impact.

• Jihad and Mujahadene (Bin Laden and Taliban)

Effects…• Soviets pull out and communism fails

a year later.

• The U.S. leaves Afghanistan

• No economy, no infrastructure; just a lot of guys with guns and war experience.– Exports of jihad and mercenaries

1980-1988 Iraq v Iran• Fresh out of the

Iranian Revolution, Iraq (Hussein) picks a fight with Iran. The U.S. does not like either of them, but sides with Iraq.

• U.S. provided Iraq with money, training, and equipment to battle the “Human Wave” attacks of Iran.

Effects…• No real winner in the end.

• Well-equipped Iraq under Hussein

• Both countries in serious debt; Iraq badly needed money…–What to do, what to do?

Kuwait• Historical and territorial tensions

between Iraq and Kuwait.

• Kuwait has vast oil revenues and is located on the Persian Gulf. (10 % of the world’s reserves)

• August of 1990, Iraq invades Kuwait. Little to no resistance and a quick success for Hussein.

Desert Shield• U.S. and Saudis worried that Iraq

may turn toward Saudi Arabia. (largest oil reserves in the world)

• Saudis allow U.S. and coalition forces to mass.

• Infidels in the holy land. Angers extremists and Bin Laden.

Desert Storm• U.S. and coalition forces liberate

Kuwait.

• U.S. calls for Iraqis to revolt from within and overthrow Saddam. Many do.

• Bush puts the brakes on the army. Many Iraqis were executed for their disloyalty.

Air Superiority

Fast moving ground campaign

Fish in a barrel

Perception of the U.S. in the Middle East

• Only interested in ourselves

• Flip flopping sides

• No PR campaign for the U.S. in the region

Post Gulf War I EventsSanctions against Iraq.

No Fly zonesWorld Trade Center ISomalia 1993Embassy Bombings in Africa 1998USS Cole 2000Iranian Pursuit of Nuclear

Energy/WeaponsGrowing influence

9/11

Geopolitics of the Middle East

Geopolitics of the Middle East

OilTransportation of Oil (Oceans)Access to MarketsNuclear Weapons/WMDsHuman Rights

Invasion of AfghanistanOctober 2001U.S. and British begin bombing targets

in Afghanistan in preparation for invasion.

November 2001Ground forces and operationsTaliban driven out