US Involvement in the Middle East

Front

Who was the leader of Iraq during the Persian Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm?

Back

Saddam Hussein

Answer explanation

Saddam Hussein was the leader of Iraq during the Persian Gulf Conflict

Front

Where was the United States main military base during the Persian Gulf War?

Back

Saudi Arabia

Answer explanation

During Operation Desert Shield, the United States worked to defend Saudi Arabia from possible Iraqi invasion.

Front

What is the United States main interest in Southwest Asia?

Back

Oil

Answer explanation

The U.S.' main interest in SW Asia was oil

Front

When did the U.S. interest in the Middle East change to terrorism?

Back

9/11 attacks

Answer explanation

After the 9/11 attacks, the United States worked to attack the Taliban for protecting and training Al Qaeda + Osama Bin Laden

Front

Using the political cartoon above, interpret the artist's overall point of view on the US's motivation behind Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Back

The United States wanted to protect their oil interests in Iraq.

Answer explanation

The man has a 'W' on his helmet telling us he is George W. Bush, the president of the U.S. at the time. Notice how the word "OIL" is bolded in each of his sentences. The U.S. wants to protect their oil interests in Iraq.

Front

Which country is described by the headline: "2008: US Caught in the Middle of Shia-Sunni Insurgency"? Options: Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel

Back

Iraq

Answer explanation

After Saddam Hussein's death, Sunnis + Shias fought for control of the country. Both were afraid of being persecuted by the other.

Front

Which country do these statements go with? Options: Israel, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq

Back

Afghanistan

Answer explanation

After 9/11, Osama Bin Laden attacked the United States with al Qaeda troops trained in camps provided by the Taliban. The United States sent troops for 20 years from 2001 - 2021

Front

What is the correct order of the wars with US involvement in the Middle East? 1. Operation Enduring Freedom 2. Operation Iraqi Freedom 3. Operation Desert Storm

Back

1. Operation Desert Storm 2. Operation Enduring Freedom 3. Operation Iraqi Freedom

Answer explanation

1. 1. Operation Desert Shield + Operation Desert Storm (Persian Gulf War)

2. 2.Operation Enduring Freedom (Invasion of Afghanistan)

3. 3. Operation Iraqi Freedom (Invasion of Iraq)

Front

Why did the United Nations try to stop Iraq from taking over Kuwait in 1990?

Back

The economies of many countries depend on oil and Iraq's actions threatened that oil supply.

Answer explanation

The economies of many countries depend on oil and Iraq's actions threatened that oil supply.

Front

Why did the US go to war with Iraq in 2003? Options: Iraq was threatening Afghanistan with nuclear weapons, The UN believed Iraq was about to invade Kuwait for a second time, Iraqi troops launched an attack on Saudi Arabia, a close ally of the US, The US government thought the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was developing weapons of mass destruction

Back

The US government thought the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was developing weapons of mass destruction

Answer explanation

The US government thought the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was developing weapons of mass destruction. They never found any.