Area Studies The Middle East AS 400 Lesson

Area Studies The Middle East AS 400 Lesson 1 1

Overview § § § Middle Eastern Overview History of US Involvement Military AOR U. S. Interests Arab-Israeli Conflict 2

History of US Involvement § Early European involvement • France invasion of Egypt 1798 -1802 • 19 th Century colonial powers • WW I • Borders 3

Middle East Treaty Organization Baghdad Pact, 1955 § Great Britain, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan sign METO • Deter Soviet expansionism • US joins, Iraq withdraws 1959 • HQ moves to Ankara…name change to Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) • CENTO dissolves in 1979 after Iran and Pakistan withdraw 4

Operation Nickel Grass Yom Kippur War , 1973 § On 6 October 1973 an Egyptian/Syrian coalition launched a two-prong attack on Israel • Israel held but ran low on supplies • US provides airlift weapons supply via Lajes • US airlifted over 22, 000 tons of supplies and equipment 5

Camp David Peace Accords § Israel – Egypt Sept. 17, 1978 • President Carter, Camp David, MD • Begin – Sadat • First peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country 6

Iranian Hostage Crisis § Nov. 4, 1979; 500 Iranian students seize the US Embassy in Tehran • • • Response to US allowing Shah in for treatment 52 Hostages held 444 days Operation Eagle Claw…eight killed Ruined Carter’s re-election chance Released day Reagan sworn in 7

Gulf War § § § Iraqi invasion of Kuwait – 2 Aug 1990 Desert Shield deployment begins – 7 Aug 1990 Desert Storm Air Campaign – 16 Jan 1991 100 hour ground war – 23 Feb 1991 Cease fire – 3 Mar 1991 8

Terrorism § § State sponsored terrorism appears to have declined over the past five years Transnational groups—with decentralized leadership that makes them harder to identify and disrupt—are emerging • Usama bin Ladin • Hamas and Hizballah joining forces 9

Terrorism § § Terrorists are becoming more operationally adept and more technically sophisticated in order to defeat counter terrorism measures. For example, as we have increased security around government and military facilities, terrorists are seeking out "softer" targets that provide opportunities for mass casualties 10

§ § § § Post War DESERT STRIKE DESERT THUNDER DESERT FOX Shining Presence Phoenix Scorpion I-IV Desert Focus Vigilant Warrior Vigilant Sentinel Intrinsic Action Desert Spring Iris Gold Pacific Haven/Quick Transit Provide Comfort I-II Northern Watch Southern Watch Enduring Freedom Iraqi Freedom 11

Military AOR • USCENTCOM –Headquarters: Mac. Dill AFB FL 12

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US Interests 14

Persian Gulf War 15

Arab Israeli Conflict 16

Other Middle Eastern Issues 17

Summary § § § Middle Eastern Overview History of US Involvement Military AOR U. S. Interests Arab-Israeli Conflict 18

Questions 19