US & Middle East Flashcards
What was the US’s interest in the ME for the first 4 decades of 20th century?
To protect interests of Americans living & traveling in region
What are the 4 main themes of the relationship between the US & Middle East?
- Growing involvement of US in ME
- ME’s ongoing quest for independence & self determination
- Different US interests conflict with each other
- Increasing antagonism between Americans & Middle Easterners
What historical event caused the US to become more interested in the ME?
WWII
What event led to a shift from G.B. to the US as the main influence in the ME?
Suez Crisis
Which 2 ME countries have the closest relationship with the US?
Israel & Turkey
What were the US’s conflicting interests in the ME during WWI?
- Promoting self-determination
2. Needing to let Britain & France dominate to get their help on other issues
What were the US’s conflicting interests in the ME during WWII?
- Sympathy for groups who wanted self-determination
2. War goals
What were the US’s conflicting interests in the ME after 1945?
- Access to oil & preventing Soviet influence
2. Security for Israel
What are the US’s 2 main objectives in ME after the cold war?
- Combatting terrorism
2. Preventing rogue states from challenging US policies
How did missionaries lead to a conflict between the US & Ottoman Empire?
Ottoman pogroms against Armenians led to damage to missionaries property, US demanded payment, Turks were dragging things out US sent warship to port Turks paid up
How did missionaries lead to a conflict between Iran & the Ottoman Empire?
Kurdish tribesmen from Turkey murdered missionary,
American consulate convinced Iran to send force into Turkey to catch culprits,
Turkey launched counter invasion of Iran,
Iran demanded money from US which we refused to pay
