2 Introduction to the Middle East

The majority of the major ongoing global conflicts geographically occur in the _______________, the region where Africa, Europe and Asia meet.

• Middle East

• Sahara Desert

• Andes Mountains

• Congo River Basin

The United States's major economic concern in the Middle East is the region's importance to the global trade of __________________.

• oil

• weapons

• opium

• technology

All seaward trade of oil exported from the Persian Gulf passes through the ________________, a narrow passageway that has witnessed hijacking of oil vessels by Iran.

• Strait of Hormuz

• Strait of Gibraltar

• Bering Strait

• Northwest Passage

All seaward trade of oil exported from the ___________ passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passageway that has witnessed hijacking of oil vessels by Iran.

• Persian Gulf

• Gulf of Mexico

• South China Seas

• Hudson Bay

The trade organization ______________________ controls nearly 80% of the world's known oil reserves and has a significant role in the global economy.

• OPEC

• United Nations

• British Petroleum (BP)

• NATO

Since United States supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War, OPEC led an oil embargo against the United States leading to the __________________.

• 1973 Oil Crisis

• Persian Gulf War

• Jewish Holocaust

• Arab Spring Uprising

Since United States supported _______ in the Yom Kippur War, OPEC led an oil embargo against the United States leading to the 1973 Oil Crisis.

• Israel

• Kuwait

• Mexico

• Saudi Arabia

Due to the instability of the Middle East, United States has worked to limit their __________________________ on the region for oil.

• economic interdependence

• international tariff rates

• international subsidy rates

• domestic production

The United States's most important Islamic ally in the Middle East is ____________________ who has played an important role in oil distribution and supporting US military interests.

• Saudi Arabia

• Iran

• Iraq

• Israel

Following the 1973 Oil Crisis, the United States began to sell _____________ to Saudi Arabia to gain a Middle Eastern ally and continue the trade of oil.

• weapons

• computers

• petroleum

• automobiles