how successful were GPs in achieving their aims

Question 1

securing their own strategic power

Answer 1

• 1920s - Faisal and Abdullah puppet rulers - but after WW2, all mandates independent
• after Suez US became dominant power in ME
• USSR provided economic aid for Aswan and sparked 1967 war - the defeat was a major blow for Soviet prestige

Question 2

securing oil supplies

Answer 2

• Six-day War 1967 led to an 8 year closure of Suez - led to oil shortages in West
• 1972, Iraq nationalised oil industry
• 1973 oil embargo drove prices up 400%
• 1990-91 war, value of Iraq’s exports decreased

Question 3

supporting Israel

Answer 3

• British mandate in Palestine faced increasing revolts, partly due to increased Jewish immigration
• US recognised Israel in 1948 and have supported them to present
• political failure of Suez

Question 4

supporting other states

Answer 4

• SA alliance to help protect its oil but also due to joint hatred of Communism
• 1953, US and BR put pressure on Shah to dismiss Mossadeq and put a pro-Western PM in his place
• USSR saw Syria as a key ally in ME - communist party starting gaining support in Syria

Question 5

fighting political Islam

Answer 5

• 2003 US invaded Afgan and overthrew Taliban gov that had sheltered Al Qaeda - didn’t catch Bin Laden fro 10 years
• 9/11 heightened US distrust
• US invasion of Iraq 2003 was seen as a war on Islam rather than a war on terror

Question 6

maintaining peace and stability

Answer 6

• failure in Palestine - revolt 1936-9 and 1948-9 war
• 1978 Camp David talks between Begin and Sadat - “Land for Peace”
• 1979 Carter brokered the Treaty of Washington
• 1991 Madrid Conference: US hosted Israel/PLO talks
• Oslo 93 and 95