US Involvement in the Middle East

What war started as a result of Iraq invading Kuwait in 1990?

• Persian Gulf War

• Red Gulf War

• Invasion of Afghanistan

• Invasion of Iraq

• Operation Desert Shield + Operation Desert Storm

Answer explanation

The Persian Gulf War started in 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Operation Desert Shield + Operation Desert Storm were the names of each phase of the war; defending Saudi Arabia and the US' oil interests + pushing Iraq back out of Kuwait.

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

• Osama bin Laden

• Yasser Arafat

• Taliban

• Saddam Hussein

Answer explanation

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

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

• Iran

• Iraq

• Turkey

• Saudi Arabia

Answer explanation

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

What is the United States main interest in Southwest Asia?

• Gold

• Silver

• Oil

• Aluminum

Answer explanation

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

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

• 9/11 attacks

• Operation Iraqi Freedom

• Persian Gulf War

• Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

Answer explanation

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

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

• Saddam Hussein was a problem to the United States because he would not follow the UN resolutions.

• Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait for their oil resources.

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

• The Iraqi government was attempting genocide of the Kurdish people living 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.

"2008: US Caught in the Middle of Shia-Sunni Insurgency"

Which of the following countries does this headline describe?

• Palestine

• Iraq

• Afghanistan

• Israel

Answer explanation

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

Which country do these statements go with?

• Israel

• Afghanistan

• Iran

• Iraq

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

What is the correct order of the wars with US involvement in the Middle East

• 1. 1. Operation Enduring Freedom

  2. 2. Operation Iraqi Freedom

  3. 3. Operation Desert Storm

• 1. 1. Operation Enduring Freedom

  2. 2. Operation Desert Storm

  3. 3. Operation Iraqi Freedom

• 1. 1. Operation Desert Storm

  2. 2.Operation Enduring Freedom

  3. 3. Operation Iraqi Freedom

• 1. 1. Operation Iraqi Freedom

  2. 2. Operation Enduring Freedom

  3. 3. Operation Desert Storm

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)

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

• The United Nations wanted to destroy the country of Iraq.

• The only job of the United Nations is military action around the world.

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

• The United Nations is required to intervene whenever the US President orders it to.

Answer explanation

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