Most of the country is between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers Farming was the main activity until the 1920s Oil fields discovered Billions spent on development of country (roads, hospitals, airports, universities, irrigation.) Iraq seeking to become dominant power Stalemate: many lives lost, no territory gained Iraq couldnt ship its oil, so had to buy weapons on credit U.S. support against Iran Iraq heavily in debt That guy on the left? Thats Donald Rumsfeld. Twenty years after this he would orchestrate the war against Saddam. Hussein declared Kuwait part of Iraq (for its oil) Coalition of Western forces drove them out in 1991 Economic sanctions (cant sell its oil) 85,000 dead soldiers Baghdad badly damaged Empty Quarter = desert the size of Texas No bodies of fresh water Biggest oil reserves of any country Before oil Fishing on the coasts Farming and herding at the oases Bedouin nomads herded in the deserts Enormous wealth People move to the cities Live in modern, AC houses Executives, engineers, programmers Much money/few people = improved standard of living Health care is nearly free 22 Desalination plants Seawater into freshwater Oil reserves have years left Countries are starting to look to other industries (banking, chemicals) Require many foreign workers In some countries, more foreign workers than citizens Different from other countries Islam but NOT Arabic Different languages, different ancestors Scholars and Merchants from the Middle East introduced the Turks of Central Asia to Islam. When the Turks began conquering the Middle East, they came as Muslim warriors. Language and culture are Turkish, NOT Arab. WWI ends in 1918, and winners divide up Ottoman Empire Mustafa Kemal led a revolution against the Sultan declares Republic of Turkey in Modernization- separation of church and state Outlawed fez, veils Women could vote, hold office. Everyone could attend school Unstable economy since the 60s Constant conflict between secular and Islamic groups for control Battles with Kurdish separatists in SE Turkey Despite this- most industrialized country in Middle East One of the only freely elected governments in the M.E. Persians arrived in Iran 3,000 years ago Empire was conquered by Arabs in 600s Part of the Islamic Empire until about 1200 AD. Most Persians converted to Islam, but kept Persian heritage Speak Farsi, not Arabic Army officer Reza Khan seizes power and declares himself Shah At this time, most were nomadic herders or farmers Shah opens schools, builds roads/railroads, encouraged industry and gave more rights to women His son continued modernization Ayatollah (religious leader) Khomeini seizes power Rejects anything seen as western Westerners deported, women back to traditional garb Strict adherence to Sharia- Islamic law Shah tells Shiite minorities in all Islamic countries to rise up against Sunni oppressors. Leads to long, bloody, pointless war with Iraq Led by President Ahmadinejad- conservative who many have accused of election fraud Labeled by the UN as a State Sponsor of Terrorism UN Security Council calling for Iran to stop Uranium enrichment program High rates of human trafficking, drug shipping Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 2/3 of land is rugged and mountainous They speak a dialect of Farsi One of the poorest nations in the world-near the bottom in every indicator War and instability keep economy down Biggest export is opium, 93% of the worlds supply Social and communal roles are based on kinship groups and Islamic tradition Soviet domination Islam was the way to express opposition 80% of the nation is Sunni Many empires have controlled this area: Persians, Alexander the Great, Turks, Arabs, Persians again, the Mongol Hordes, Turks again, British, Russians, and finally-themselves. Rose to power as a reaction to warlord-ism and lawlessness following Soviet occupation. Full power by 1998 Strict interpretation of Sharia- atrocities against non-believers, minorities and women. 1990s- provided sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaida Bin Laden launched many terrorist attacks during the 90s, culminating in 9/11 After refusing to turn him over, a Western Coalition invaded Afghanistan in Oct/2001 The Taliban fell apart, and Kabul fell one month later troubles were just starting 85% of people work in agriculture many in poppy fields Many are beginning to work towards legal crops Unemployment still around 40% Life expectancy around 44 years, high infant mortality although numbers are improving U.S. support of health care and education