Conflict in the Middle East & The Challenge of Terrorism

Ch.15.2-3

The Middle East and Palestine

• Israel proclaimed independence in 1948– Created Arab-Israeli conflict because of disputes over Palestine

• In the late 1950’s Egypt set up a blockade against Israeli ships so they could not move through the Gulf of Aqaba

• Started a 6 day war- Israel tripled its size• 1960 several oil-producing nations formed the OPEC

(Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) to control oil prices- led to huge price increases and oil shortages

• Jimmy Carter helped create the Camp David Accords- an agreement to sign an Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, signed in 1979

Nasser and Pan-Arabism

• Gamal Abdel Nasser became leader in Eypt in 1956

• He siezed the Suez Canal Company threatening France and Great Britain’s world position

• Began Suez war of 1956• Nasser won and began to promote Pan-

Arabism, or Arab unity– Wanted to share resources

Turmoil in Iran and Iraq

• Iran became rich because of oil and the leadership of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi– Many Muslims disagreed with new culture and

American influence– Protests were organized against the Shah and he fled

the country in 1979• Iran became a republic• Iraq was led by Saddam Hussein– Launched an attack on Iran in 1980- a very brutal war– Cease-fire signed in 1989