the middle east & north africa

35
The Middle East & North Africa Key Issues Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Energy Sources Israel & Syrian Way Ahead GGS 684, GMU, Assignment 2, 4 March 2011 Group C(orona): Antonia Shull, Amber Marriott, Hadis Dashtestani, Brandon Payne, and Chuck Barbe

Upload: tahlia

Post on 13-Jan-2016

106 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

The Middle East & North Africa. Key Issues Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Energy Sources Israel & Syrian Way Ahead. GGS 684, GMU, Assignment 2, 4 March 2011 Group C(orona): Antonia Shull, Amber Marriott, Hadis Dashtestani, Brandon Payne, and Chuck Barber. Key Issues Middle East and North Africa. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

TRANSCRIPT

The Middle East & North Africa

• Key Issues• Iran’s Nuclear

Weapons• Energy Sources• Israel & Syrian• Way Ahead

GGS 684, GMU, Assignment 2, 4 March 2011Group C(orona): Antonia Shull, Amber Marriott, Hadis Dashtestani, Brandon Payne, and Chuck Barber

Key IssuesMiddle East and North Africa

Nuclear Iran Energy Switch

Resource AvailabilityWater and Land Scarcity

Climate ChangeEconomic Stability

Youth BulgeRole of Women

Regional Stability

Iran’s Nuclear Weapons

• Iran has admitted to having nuclear technology for energy purposes– Iran is rich in natural gas and other resources– Tons of gas resources are burning (without being used) – Nuclear equipment is extremely expensive and is using

current energy resources

Satellite Images & Geospatial

Analysis of Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Iran’s Nuclear Weapons

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) interpreted images (taken by Google Earth & DigitalGlobe) of Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.

Both these images show Isfahan Nuclear Energy Site.

Isfahan is where uranium is first processed and where a storage facility is being built underneath a mountain.

Obviously, there are significant changes between the two images indicating Iran has never stopped its nuclear programs.

2006

2000Isfahan Nuclear Energy Site

The facilities in Google Earth from a few years ago

Changes in Natan’s Nuclear Site

On September16, 2002

Then January 2, 2005

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/26/1938/42811Institute for Science & International Security

According to GeoEye, the image shows a military facility located about 20 miles North-Northeast of Qum and 100 miles Southwest of Tehran.An analysis of the image by a defence intelligence consulting firm said the facility has a primary and several auxiliary entrances, ventilation shafts, a surface-to-air missile site, and quarry and construction equipment. 2009

 http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-10362358-264.html#ixzz1FJb3K5SF

Iran’s Deadly Weapons Continue

• Iran’s aims for regional leadership, including its nuclear ambitions

• Iran’s interactions in the region – Afghanistan

• Supporting Northern alliance before 9/11 • Provides “lethal support” to Taliban

– Iraq • Iran has been constantly funding and

supporting Shia militia and parties in Iraq

Potential Consequences

• Nuclear competition in the region– Countries might decide to seek nuclear

weapons capabilities in reaction to Iran’s capability of nuclear weapons

• Insurgency in Iraq & Afghanistan will be boosted– The international system will be shocked as

it experiences immediate humanitarian, economic & political-military repercussion

• Attempt to test nuclear weapons

Energy Sources in 2025

Oil – Limited Natural gas – Limited• Coal – Limited• Wind power• Solar power• Advanced biofuels• Hydrogen fuel-cells• Other alternative energy

systems

Israel Wind Power in Tel Avivhttp://blog.ewea.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/274_image_highres_825.jpg

UAE Future Solar Power Plant http://www.gizmag.com/shams-1-concentrated-solar-power-plant/15389/picture/116110/

Team A vs. Team BA: High demand for oil/natural gas leads to a

prosperous but chaotic Middle East

B: Decrease demand for oil/natural gas leads to new opportunities in the Middle East

A Map of World Oil Reserveshttp://gcaptain.com/who-has-the-oil-a-map-of-world-oil-reserves?534

High demand for oil/natural gas leads to a prosperous but chaotic Middle East

• 2020 their will be a global increase in energy consumption• OPEC production is expected to grow by 43%• Non-OPEC production won’t be able to keep up with demand• Oil reserve in ME will account for 57% of the world’s oil• Political and economic power will increase in the ME• 2/3rd of ME oil exports will go to India & China making them

very dependant on the ME (possible exchange for allegiance)

But…• Poorer overall (with remaining wealth unevenly spread)• Pipelines, facilities, and export terminals will not be well

protected from attacks• Al-Qa’da will be interested in attacking the oil facilities• Possibility of a China-Japan-India naval arms race over

routesThe World’s Second Largest Oil Deposit July 2009 by NASA’s Earth Observatoryhttp://geology.com/nasa/athabasca-oil-sands/

The World’s Second Largest Oil Deposit July 2009 by NASA’s Earth Observatoryhttp://geology.com/nasa/athabasca-oil-sands/

Decrease demand for oil/natural gas leads to new opportunities in the Middle East

• Oil and gas production will decline with the new energy transition

• 2010 the ME produced 60% of the world’s oil, in 2025 39%• Oil discoveries in the Santos Basin will make Brazil a major

oil exporter after 2020• Number and geographic distribution of oil producers will

decrease during the energy transition

But…• Motivate the ME to open up to the West in a bid for greater

foreign investment => strengthen ties• ME will not be able to support the demand due to not

modernizing their production infrastructure

Arak Oil Refinery Company Collected February 2005 by GeoEyehttp://geoeyemediaportal.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/images/gallery/news/security/images/arak_iran_02172005.jpg

Arak Oil Refinery Company Collected February 2005 by GeoEyehttp://geoeyemediaportal.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/images/gallery/news/security/images/arak_iran_02172005.jpg

High Impact - Low Probability Analysis

• Funds from national investments become the dominant economic factor in the Middle East in light of a global shift away from fossil fuels.

High Impact Outcomes

• A more economically stable Middle East• Greater regional stability due to greater economic

stability• Investment in non-oil sector creates jobs and curbs

civil unrest• Shift in regional power to include oil-poor countries

Rumalia, Iraq by Ikonos in 2009http://www.satimagingcorp.com/gallery/ikonos-rumaliafield-lg.html

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs)

“Capital generated from government surpluses and invested inprivate markets abroad.”

Energy Diversification by 2035

Energy Demand: 1.4%

Liquid Fuel: 0.9%

Renewables: 2.6%

Yearly Growth in Consumption Source:

www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/world.html

Investment SectorsObservable and Quantifiable via GEOINT

• Tourism

• Transportation Hubs

• Alternative Energy

• Manufacturing

Jordan

www.ichotelsgroup.comwww.lib.utexas.edu

Low Probability for 2025

• Oil and natural gas are high income products and are unlikely to be replaced

• The global financial situation is not encouraging economic growth

• The current political situations are unlikely to bolster regional economies

Contrarian “What-If” Analysis:Israel Returns the Golan Heights to Syria

Brief History

•Golan Heights occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War (June 5-10, 1967)

•Formal peace agreement has yet to be signed between Israel and Syria

•Wide international recognition that Golan Heights is Syrian territory

•Strategically important

− Fresh water resource in the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias)

− Elevated position (460 sqr. miles) Source: Israeli Settlements in the

Golan Heights, CIA, 1992

Path to Agreement

• Resumption of informal peace talks between Israel and Syria

• Formal peace deal ultimately brokered through Turkey, EU, US and Russia

• Increased Western pressure on Israel

− Nationalist political sensitivities in Europe frustrated by increased Muslim immigration

• Divisions and realignments in the Middle East

− Less certainty from an Israeli security perspective

• Syria expands military cooperation with foreign powers

− Russian naval base at Tartus, Syria

Port of Tartus, Syria• Russian foothold in

Mediterranean

• Now used for anti-piracy operations

• Undergoing major renovations to support Russian missile cruisers and eventually aircraft carriers

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2010/eu_russia0736_08_03.asp

Topics IndicatorsGEOINT help Confirm/Deny

?

1. Russian Leverage over Israel

a. Russia becomes economic power house in region NO

b. Israel reliance on Russia for oil import YES

c. Israel reliance on Russia for natural gas export YES

d. Israel – Russia Security Cooperation (Increase Arms sales)

YES

e. Russia increases investments in Israel NO

2. Russian Leverage over Syria

a. Increased Russian Mediterranean naval basing in Syrian ports

YES

b. Increased Russian Arms sales to SyriaYES

3. Golan Heights

a. Peaceful resettlement of Israelis out of Golan Heights YES

b. Continued demilitarization of Golan Heights YES

c. Extreme increase in salinity of Sea of Galilee YES

4. External Pressure

a. Increase Muslim population in Western Europe an countries to exert political influence for resolution of Arab-Israeli issues

NO

b. Turkey willingness to broker peace deal for Israel & Syria

NO

Indicators

Scope of Consequences

• Potential to Increase Stability in the Region– Israel & Syria peace agreement concludes Six Day War (1967)– Syria agrees to stop sponsoring Palestinian and Lebanese

militant groups– Syria recognizes Israel’s right to exist

• Need for external watch agency or UN-like monitors– Potential for Syrian military basing/buildup in the Golan

Heights– Ensure agreement on water usage/rights to the Sea of Galilee

• Potential Internal Israeli Strife– Displaced Israelis – what happens to settlements and

displaced persons? – Political challenges to a potentially unpopular agreement

• Impact on Future Arab-Israeli peace agreements– Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty: water to Jordan from SoG– Reaction from Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, and Arab world?– Precedent for Israel regarding the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Sea of Galilee

Israel National Israel National Water CarrierWater Carrier

Source: http://mapsomething.com/demo/waterusage/usage.php

Way Ahead

• Three focus areas for requirements and analysis– Nuclear Iran– Energy Switch– Israel and its Neighbors

• Continue to develop and assess indicators

• Next step – Identify GEOINT resources to fill gaps

GGS 684, GMU, Assignment 2, 4 March 2011Group C: Antonia Shull, Amber Marriott, Hadis Dashtestani, Brandon Payne, and Chuck Barber

Questions

Backup INFORMATION FROM 2025 REPORT

Key Certainties and Consequences

• Continued economic growth—coupled with 1.2 billion more people by 2025—will put pressure on energy, food, and water resources.– Unless employment conditions change dramatically in parlous youth-

bulge states such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Yemen, these countries will remain ripe for continued instability and state failure.

• The potential for conflict will increase owing to rapid changes in parts of the greater Middle East and the spread of lethal capabilities.

• Terrorism is unlikely to disappear by 2025, but its appeal could lessen if economic growth continues in the Middle East and youth unemployment is reduced. For those terrorists that are active the diffusion of technologies will put dangerous capabilities within their reach.– The need for the US to act as regional balancer in the Middle East

will increase, although other outside powers—Russia, China and India—will play greater roles than today.

Key Uncertainties and Consequences

• Whether an energy transition away from oil and gas—supported by improved energy storage, biofuels, and clean coal—is completed during the 2025 time frame. – With high oil and gas prices, major exporters such as Russia

and Iran will substantially augment their levels of national power, with Russia’s GDP potentially approaching that of the UK and France.

– A sustained plunge in prices, perhaps underpinned by a fundamental switch to new energy sources, could trigger a long-term decline for producers as global and regional players.

• Whether regional fears about a nuclear-armed Iran trigger an arms race and greater militarization.– Turbulence is likely to increase under most scenarios. Revival of

economic growth, a more prosperous Iraq, and resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute could engender some stability as the region deals with a strengthening Iran and global transition away from oil and gas.

Emerging Multi-Polar Powers

• Middle East and Northern African countries are not expected to be in the big five economic powers (USA, Brazil, Russia, India, and China)– We expect, however, to see the political and

economic power of other countries—such as Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey—increase.

Population Growth

• The number of countries with youthful age structures in the current “arc of instability” is projected to decline by as much as 40 percent.

• Three of every four youth-bulge countries that remain will be located in Sub-Saharan Africa; nearly all of the remainder will be located in the core of the Middle East, scattered through southern and central Asia, and in the Pacific Islands.

Global Economic Growth

• Unprecedented global economic growth—positive in so many other regards—will continue to put pressure on a number of highly strategic resources, including energy, food, and water, and demand is projected to outstrip easily available supplies over the next decade or so.– the world will be in the midst of a fundamental energy

transition away from oil toward natural gas, coal and other alternatives

• a transition—particularly an abrupt one—out of fossil fuels would have major repercussions for energy producers in the Middle East and Eurasia, potentially causing permanent decline of some states as global and regional powers.

Prospects for Terrorism, Conflict and Proliferation

• Terrorism is unlikely to disappear by 2025, but its appeal could diminish if economic growth continues and youth unemployment is mitigated in the Middle East.

– Economic opportunities for youth and greater political pluralism probably would dissuade some from joining terrorists’ ranks, but others—motivated by a variety of factors, such as a desire for revenge or to become “martyrs”—will continue to turn to violence to pursue their objectives.

• Although Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons is not inevitable, other countries’ worries about a nuclear-armed Iran could lead states in the region to develop new security arrangements with external powers, acquire additional weapons, and consider pursuing their own nuclear ambitions. It is not clear that the type of stable deterrent relationship that existed between the great powers for most of the Cold War would emerge naturally in the Middle East with a nuclear-weapons capable Iran. Episodes of low-intensity conflict taking place under a nuclear umbrella could lead to an unintended escalation and broader conflict if clear red lines between those states involved are not well established.

• We believe ideological conflicts akin to the Cold War are unlikely to take root in a world in which most states will be preoccupied with the pragmatic challenges of globalization and shifting global power alignments. The force of ideology is likely to be strongest in the Muslim world—particularly the Arab core. In those countries that are likely to struggle with youth bulges and weak economic underpinnings—such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Yemen—the radical Salafi trend of Islam is likely to gain traction.

• The risk of nuclear weapon use over the next 20 years, although remaining very low, is likely to be greater than it is today as a result of several converging trends. The spread of nuclear technologies and expertise is generating concerns about the potential emergence of new nuclear weapon states and the acquisition of nuclear materials by terrorist groups. Ongoing low-intensity clashes between India and Pakistan continue to raise the specter that such events could escalate to a broader conflict between those nuclear powers. The possibility of a future disruptive regime change or collapse occurring in a weak state with nuclear weapons also continues to raise questions regarding the ability of such a state to control and secure its nuclear arsenals.