Case Study: Conflict in Iraq

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2314881n

Essential Questions

• What are the causes of the conflicts in the Middle East?

• Why is the United States fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan?

• What are possible solutions to the conflicts in the Middle East?

Enduring Understandings

• Conflict in the among nations in the Middle East exists due to religious, cultural and ethnic differences and disputes over territory and resources.

• Many Muslims disapprove of US foreign policy which favors Israel, has helped overthrow elected leaders, and has supported corrupt and totalitarian governments in the region.

• Solutions to conflict in the Middle East may require the West to adjust its foreign policy and for Middle Eastern nations to take risks toward peace.

Post WW1

• After World War I, the British were given a mandate over Iraq (much like in Israel) and installed a king that was not Iraqi.

Post WW1

• The country was in turmoil as numerous groups fought for power including Sunnis, Shias, Assyrians, and Kurds.

Saddam takes Control

• Iraq went through a series of kings until the monarchy ended in a coup. A series of coups followed until Saddam Hussein seized power in 1969.

Saddam takes Control

• Dictatorial rule by Saddam suppressed political adversaries and violated human rights of certain groups, particularly the Kurds (on whom he used chemical weapons) and the Shia majority (Saddam was Sunni).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxqOedvOSRQ

Iraq Iran War

• In 1980, Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in an attempt to grab oil fields, territory, and power in the region.

Iraq Iran War

• Because of the Iran Hostage Crisis of the late 1970s, the US supported Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War.

Iraq Iran War

• The Iran-Iraq War lasted for 8 years caused the deaths of 1.5 million people. Ultimately the United Nations mandated a cease-fire and neither side gained much.

Iraq Invades Kuwait

• In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait in an attempt to grab oil, territory, and power. This invasion was suppressed by the US and its allies but Saddam was allowed to remain in power for fear that Iraq would be vulnerable to attack from Iran if Saddam was removed.

Iraq Invades Kuwait

• Once the war ended, Saddam was ordered to destroy his weapons of mass destruction (which had been used against the Kurds) and submit to UN weapons inspection.

Iraq is Exiled Economically

• Because Saddam regularly rebuffed the efforts of the inspectors, the UN imposed economic sanctions against Iraqi which lead to an economic and humanitarian crisis: Iraq had over-specialized in oil production and could not export its supply because of the sanctions; as a result, it could not provide basic essentials for its people.

WMD’s?

• Problems with the United Nations and the US regarding inspections for weapons of mass destruction ultimately led to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Saddam is Captured• Saddam Hussein was captured

by Americans and ultimately executed in 2006 by a new Iraqi government for crimes against humanity.

Aftermath

• Though Iraq has held several free elections and is working toward being a more democratic society, there continues to be conflict between forces for democracy and those that wish to see an Islamic form of government.