US Interest in the Middle East

WHY IS THE US INVOLVED IN THE MIDDLE

EAST?

LEQ …

LET’S LOOK AT A FEW REASONS!

Why do YOU think the US is involved the Middle

East?

War on terrorismAnti-AmericanismBreeding ground for terrorists

Remember the terrorists groups … Hamas Al Qaeda

Think about … who is the US’ ally in the Middle East?

ISRAEL

Israel US strong supporter of IsraelFree trade agreement – 1985US is Israel’s largest trade partner

One of largest recipient of US foreign aid

What commodity does the Middle East have that the US is totally

dependant upon?

Oil … let’s review what we learned

yesterday!

Middle East - 60% of world’s known oil reserves

US – world’s largest single consumer of oil

Oil Reserves - Top 20 Nations

Oil Reserves

Oil Reserves by Countries in the Middle East

Based on all the previous graphs, why

is it important for

the US to keep friendly relationships

with the Middle Eastern

countries?

Think about what is going on in Syria today. What weapon was used

against Syrians?

Weapons of mass destruction

Preventing spread of WMD

Preventing spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons

Iraq, Iran, Libya, and now Syria - either have them OR have tried to develop them OR have used them!

Iraq used chemical weapons against Kurds – 1988 and against Iran in 1980’s

As part of requirements of end of Persian Gulf War, Iraq was to be open to inspections by UN – however, made this very difficult

Convinced Iraq possessed these, US and Britain went to war with Iraq in 2003

Ponder the following … IF an oppressed people were to gain knowledge

through education, how might that impact a country?

Human Rights / Justice Issues

Promoting freedom and democracy

US feels that lack of freedom in ME key factor in contributing to terrorism

Promotes education, rights for women, economic development

To sum up …5 reasons

War on terrorismIsraelOilThe spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

Human rights (Humanitarianism)

WHICH OF THE 5 REASONS GIVEN DO YOU

FEEL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR THE US TO BE INVOLVED

IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

Ticket out the door …