MIDDLE EAST IN MIDDLE EAST IN 1970’s - 20001970’s - 2000

IRAN – Shi’iteIRAN – Shi’ite

• Reza Pahlavi was Shah of Iran (monarchy)Reza Pahlavi was Shah of Iran (monarchy)– enjoyed “special privileges” as he was a friend enjoyed “special privileges” as he was a friend

of the US (military help, wealth, corruption)of the US (military help, wealth, corruption)

– Ayatollah Khomeini (Shi’ite leader)Ayatollah Khomeini (Shi’ite leader)

1979 ENDED monarchy – Shah flees Iran1979 ENDED monarchy – Shah flees Iran

NOT a friend to US, universities closed, less NOT a friend to US, universities closed, less rights for women, religion firstrights for women, religion first

IRANIAN HOSTAGESIRANIAN HOSTAGES

• President Carter upset at the overthrow of President Carter upset at the overthrow of their long-standing allytheir long-standing ally

• Iran was now anti-Israeli, anti-AmericanIran was now anti-Israeli, anti-American

• Khomeini saw the US as “Great Satan”Khomeini saw the US as “Great Satan”

• Iranian radicals seized US embassy in Iranian radicals seized US embassy in Tehran: 52 hostages for 444 daysTehran: 52 hostages for 444 days

IRAQ & IRANIRAQ & IRAN

• Saddam Husain leader of Iraq – tried to Saddam Husain leader of Iraq – tried to topple Iran – afraid of Shi’ite takeovertopple Iran – afraid of Shi’ite takeover

• Iran had American weapons (Shah days) Iran had American weapons (Shah days) ag. Iraq Soviet weaponsag. Iraq Soviet weapons

• US sent Saddam weapons SECRETLY to US sent Saddam weapons SECRETLY to fund the Contra war against Sandinista fund the Contra war against Sandinista government in Nicaraguagovernment in Nicaragua

IRAQ WARIRAQ WAR

• Saddam Husain invades KuwaitSaddam Husain invades Kuwait

• Kuwait is an ally of US and oil producerKuwait is an ally of US and oil producer

• US gets into conflict in 1991 – winsUS gets into conflict in 1991 – wins

• Saddam stays…2003 US goes to war Saddam stays…2003 US goes to war again: terror groups, defiance of UN, WMDagain: terror groups, defiance of UN, WMD

AFGHANISTANAFGHANISTAN

• Soviets vs.Afghanistan in 1979…a Soviets vs.Afghanistan in 1979…a communist regime needs supportcommunist regime needs support

• US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is paying, US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is paying, supplying and training ANTI-communist supplying and training ANTI-communist forces in Afghanistan…early TALIBANforces in Afghanistan…early TALIBAN