THE ROAD TO 9/11: RISE OF AL QAEDA & THE U.S. IN THE MIDDLE EAST

OUR OBJECTIVES• I can explain the causes of 9/11.• I can explain the role that the U.S.

has played in the Middle East.

THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES

ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

THE COLD WAR REACHES THE MIDDLE EAST1940’s-1990’s: The United States vs. Soviet Union for global control.

• Capitalism vs. Communism• Proxy Wars (Congo, China, Vietnam, Korea, etc.)

MIDDLE EAST RESOURCES-A Battle for Access to Resources.

-U.S. Goal: Protect the Middle East from Communist Control.

STABILITY (OVER FREEDOM)IN THE MIDDLE EAST

• The United States valued political stability, alliances (anyone but the communists), and an open market for oil.• Helped overthrow potential threats in the middle east and helped

put in place secular (non religious) dictators/governments. • Many of these leaders restricted freedoms in their countries

sand committed human rights violations to maintain power.

(Mobutu: Congo) (Shah of Iran) (Mubarac: Egypt) (Hussein: Iraq) (Gaddafi: Libya)

THE SOVIET UNION IN AFGHANISTAN1979: The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan to support the new Communist Government.

MUJAHEDEEN • “One who struggles on behalf of Islam”• Guerilla militias who fought against Soviet involvement

in Afghanistan.• Nationalistic in nature• Led by Tribal Leaders• Supported Islam’s role in society• Had support from the United States Government/CIA

WHAT IS JIHAD?

This term, often associated with Islam and violence, is open to interpretation. Scholars point out that jihad, which literally means struggle or effort, has two meanings. For the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, the “great jihad” was the struggle against one’s own moral shortcomings. The “little jihad” was the struggle against the enemies of Islam. Nevertheless, in recent years, the idea of jihad and the term jihadist have been commonly used to describe Muslim terrorists and extremists.

OSAMA BIN LADEN• List important details about bin Laden’s background.• What was his view on Islam?• What was his view on the United States?• What were his ultimate goals?

THE GULF WAR/OPERATION DESERT STORM1990: Iraq invades the small (oil rich) nation of Kuwait.

• Bin Laden offers to protect Saudi Arabia w/ the Mujahedeen.

• Saudi leaders allow the US to stage troops and invade Iraq instead.

US INFLUENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

AL QAEDA “The Base”• Formed by bin Laden in the late 1980’s.

• An organization of extremist militants who aim to rid Muslim majority countries of U.S. influence and replace those governments with a caliphate (a medieval term for an Islamic state) that follows an extreme and intolerant interpretation of Sunni Islam. (Sunnis are the largest sect of Islam.)

• Responsible for 9/11

THE TALIBAN • An Islamic fundamentalist militant group that rose to power in

Afghanistan and formed a government during the 1990’s.• Believe in Sharia Law (Strict rules from the Quran)

• Public Executions and Punishment.• Strict Dress Codes for men & women.• Restricted women’s rights.• Lack of western influence.

THE TALIBAN & AL QAEDA The Taliban offered sanctuary to Bin Laden & Al Qaeda.Al Qaeda promised military support and alliance.Afghanistan became the unofficial home base for Al Qaeda

BIN LADEN DECLARES WAR ON AMERICAIn 1996, Osama bin Laden declared war on the United States and Israel.

2002: BIN LADEN’S “LETTER TO AMERICA” -Attacks Muslim communities around the world (Somalia, Chechnya)-Support of Israel.-Support of corrupt and oppressive governments.

• Limiting Democracy around the Globe.

-Economic sanctions on Iraq.-Military presence in Saudi Arabia.-Exploitation of oil.-A life style that violates the Quran: Drinking, Gambling, Separation of Church & State, “exploitation” of women.-Destruction of the environment.-Limiting other countries’ access to weapons of mass destruction.-Human Rights violations including Guantanamo Bay Prison.-And many more…

3 THREE’S IN A ROW• To practice, test, and build your knowledge,

complete the 3x3 Boxes.• Stand Up.• You are the only person who can write on your

sheet.• Ask one person each question (Initial) and

record their answer.• Each box should be answered by a different

person.• Discuss and work together to find all answers.