issues in the middle east = challenges to superpowers

• what are sources of instability in the middle east?

  resources -> short of water and farmland, territorial conflict

  religion -> Sunni and Shia

  oil and gas -> 65% comes from the middle east

  youth pop -> large numbers of unemployment and low education

  governance -> democracy is weak

  history -> boarder are drawn by colonial powers and do not reflect geography, religion, or culture
• what is proxy warfare?


  larger countries supporting smaller countries in their wars
• what is a failed state?


  no one is in charge, no leader
• history of Saudi Arabia


  country was run by a royal family

  1940s - large discovered oil reserve made the monarchy rich, then built cities, roads, and infrastructure

  alliance was forged with USA (because of oil)

  1980s - Iranian revolution sparked fear of own population rising up, so boosted alliance with USA (creation of Golf Cooperation Council)

  1980s (SEPT) - gave money, weapons, and logistical help to Iraq (in Iran vs Iraq war)
• how many people died during the Iraq Iran war?

  nearly 1,000,000
• history of Iran


  country was ran by a prime minister

  18th century - invaded by British and Russia twice

  1950s - USA coup to remove prime minister and replace with a monarchy, Iran became a secular westernised country

  1970s - economy was mainly oil based and had a government backed by the USA

  1980s -> revolution fought against monarch of Iran, 'exporting the revolution' Iranians Shia groups to overthrow Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia governments

  1980 (SEPT) -> Iraq invaded Iran to end revolution and get oil resources
• how did USA further create conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran?


  in 2003 USA overthrew Iraq government and failed to replace a leader, creating a failed state where armed militas took over. there was clear divide between Sunni and Shia - Saudi Arabia sent money and resources to Sunni and Iran to Shia (proxy war)
• what is the Golf Cooperation Council?

  regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union