Lecture 7

Question 1

Why is the Middle East in constant conflict

Answer 1

• lack of democracy

- foreign intervention

Question 2

Explain European involvement in the Middle East

Answer 2

• 18th/19th century, Britain France and Russia competed fo influence in the ME
• British succeeded in Egypt.

Question 3

What was Britain’s ME policy?

Answer 3

1. protecting India by controlling water acces
2. oil acces
3. controlling territories of ottoman empire

Question 4

Describe the fall of the Ottoman Empire

Answer 4

• pre WWI, Hussein was promised by McMahon that in return for the Arab revolt against the Ottomans, the british would help establish an independent Arab state

Question 5

Consequences of the ME post WWI division

Answer 5

1. Instability
   - created borders in the me did not correspond with actual tribal or ethnic distinctions
   - Lebanon was seen as a haven for religious Maronite Christians, later leading to a civil war
   - sizeable Jewish community, resulting in a bad civil war.
2. Encouraged military coups
3. rise of Arab dictators
4. deeply rooted conflicting identities in the population

Question 6

Why was the Middle East geostrategically important?

Answer 6

1. Sits at the juncture o f three continents
2. Natural Resources
3. border the Med sea and Persian Gulf
4. close proximity to the Soviet Union

Question 7

What is the realist explanation for ME policy?

Answer 7

US maximizing interests and powers

Question 8

What is the marxist explanation for ME policy?

Answer 8

economic gain

Question 9

Constructivist ME policy?

Answer 9

Democratization, manifest destiny

Question 10

What was US fp in the middle east during the Cold war?

Answer 10

resisting Soviet influence and containing Soviet success

Question 11

Explain Israel’s special relationship with the US

Answer 11

US provides Israel with $3 bil in military aid per yr, and has used its veto power 44 times in defense of Israel at UN Security Council. Israel was a primary tool to contain Soviet Influence

Question 12

Modern US objectives in ME

Answer 12

• conserving global leadership
• controlling the flow of oil from the region
• preserving rule of allied governments in the region
• weakening rogue states
• combatting terrorism

Question 13

Islamic Militant Groups

Answer 13

• serve as both a tool ad threat for the US
• doubtful that the groups will ever be successfully contained
• ## spread instability throughout the region, huge impact on Europe