M4L5 Intro

​Module 4 Lesson 5 Intro: The Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy

By Valerie HS]

Today’s Big Idea

Today you’ll learn why the Middle East matters in world politics (government types + oil), and how major events led to wars: the Persian Gulf War, 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Poll

Do you think another country’s form of government affects how it interacts with other countries, like the U.S.?

• Yes, a lot

• Yes, a little

• No, not really

• No, not at all

Word Cloud

One-two words: What do you want most from a government?

Middle East Governments + U.S. Interests

Types of Government

Middle Eastern countries don’t all have the same type of government. Some are monarchies where a king rules. Some are constitutional monarchies where a king shares power with an elected group. Some are republics where people vote for leaders. A theocracy is when religious leaders have the most power, even if elections exist.

Match

Directions: Match the government type to the meaning.

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Republic

• Theocracy

King has full rule, no voting

King shares power with elected leaders

People vote for leaders

Religious leaders hold most power

• King has full rule, no voting

• King shares power with elected leaders

• People vote for leaders

• Religious leaders hold most power

Dropdown

In a ​

Select answer

, citizens usually vote for the leaders.

Poll

What feels most fair to you?

• Leaders chosen by voting

• Leaders chosen by tradition (royal family)

• Leaders chosen by religious authority

• Depends on the country

Why the U.S. Cares

The U.S. has strong relationships with some Middle Eastern countries for reasons like security and trade. A huge reason is oil. Oil affects gas prices and the world economy. But working with different governments can be complicated, especially if the U.S. values (like democracy or rights) don’t match how a country is run.

Categorize

Options (5)

• Stable oil prices

• Security alliances

• Trade and shipping routes

• Human rights concerns

• Tension when values conflict

Directions: Sort each into “U.S. Interests” or “Possible Problems.”

US Interests

Possible Problems

Multiple Choice

Oil matters because it…

• affects world energy prices and trade

• is only used in the Middle East

• has no impact on other countries

Persian Gulf War (1990–1991)

What Started the Persian Gulf War

In 1990, Iraq’s leader Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait to take control of its oil and power. Many countries worried Iraq might attack Saudi Arabia next. The U.S. helped form a large coalition (many nations working together) to force Iraq out of Kuwait.

Multiple Choice

The main cause of the Persian Gulf War was…

• Kuwait invaded Saudi Arabia

• the U.S. invaded Iran

• Iraq invaded Kuwait

Reorder

Directions: Put these events in order.

• Iraq invades Kuwait

• U.S. sends troops to Saudi Arabia

• Coalition attacks Iraq (Desert Storm)

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Desert Storm + Technology

In 1991, the coalition launched Operation Desert Storm. The war was short. The U.S. used new technology like precision-guided bombs and high-tech equipment. Iraq was pushed out of Kuwait. The U.S. did not remove Saddam from power at that time.

Multiple Choice

One reason Desert Storm was successful quickly was…

• Iraq surrendered before fighting

• advanced military technology

• the U.S. refused to use any air power

Poll

Should the U.S. have removed Saddam from power in 1991?

• Yes

• No

9/11 and policy changes

9/11

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked planes and attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people died. Investigators linked the attacks to al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, who was protected by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Multiple Choice

The terrorist group connected to 9/11 was…

• al Qaeda

• NATO

• OPEC

Hotspot

Click the event that happened on 9/11.

Aftermath + New Laws

After 9/11, the U.S. changed policies. Overseas, the U.S. focused on stopping terrorism and “rogue states.” At home, the Patriot Act expanded government power to monitor suspected terrorists. Some people supported this for safety; others worried it threatened civil liberties (privacy and freedom).

Categorize

Options (4)

“War on terror” actions overseas

Focus on terrorist groups and states that support them

More monitoring of suspected terrorists

Concerns about privacy/civil liberties

Directions: Sort each change into “Foreign Policy” or “Domestic Policy.”

Foreign Policy

Domestic Policy

Poll

Which is more important after a major attack?

• More security even if privacy decreases

• Protect privacy even if risk stays

Afghanistan War

Fighting the Afghanistan War

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan with strict religious rules and protected al Qaeda. After 9/11, the U.S. demanded the Taliban hand over al Qaeda leaders. When they refused, the U.S. began war in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). The Taliban was removed from power quickly, but fighting continued for many years.

Multiple Choice

The U.S. went to war in Afghanistan mainly because…

• the Taliban protected al Qaeda after 9/11

• Afghanistan invaded the U.S. first

• the U.S. wanted Afghanistan’s oil

Reorder

Directions: Put these in order.

• 9/11 attack happens

• Taliban refuses to hand over al Qaeda leaders

• US attacks Afghanistan

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Iraq War

Fighting the Iraq War

While fighting in Afghanistan, the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003. Leaders claimed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ties to al Qaeda. UN inspectors did not find WMD. The U.S. invaded anyway, Saddam was removed, but later no WMD were found and strong links to al Qaeda were not proven. Iraq became unstable with violence and conflict between groups.

Multiple Choice

A major controversy about the Iraq War was that…

• Iraq had attacked the U.S. with planes

• no WMD were found after the invasion

• the UN had proven WMD existed

Drag and Drop

Started after 9/11; target was Taliban/al Qaeda. ​Taliban sheltered bin Laden.​

Placeholder

2003 invasion; claimed WMD​. Saddam Hussein removed from power.

Placeholder

​

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Afghanistan War

Iraq War

Open Ended

One thing I learned today about why the US gets involved in conflict is: ___________

One effect (impact) this can have is: ___________