Iran

Turkey

Egypt

Syria

Jordan

Iraq

Saudi Arabia

Kurds

US ME Relations

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Kurds

Kurdish Workers Party (PKK)-Democratic Union Party (PYD) & Peoples Protection Unit (YPG)

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leads Iraqi autonomy. Military is Peshmerga

Kurdish National Council. About 12 different Kurdish parties. Member of Syrian opposition.

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Separate Peshmerga forces. Talabani was Iraqi President.

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Kurdish Factions

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Why Turkey is invading Syria-you tube

Kurds

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Kurdish PopulationsTurkey=14.5 million

Iran= 6 million Iraq= 5.5 million

Syria= less than 2 million Other= 6 million

Total= 34 million

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Syrian KurdsConsidered western Kurdistan.

Free Kurdish Army from Democratic Union Party (PYD)

Historical links to Kurdish Workers Party (PKK)

PKK regarded by Turkey & USA as a terrorist organization

PKK are fighting for autonomy within Turkey.

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Iraqi KurdsHave a considerable degree of

autonomy within Iraq. Have had good relations with Turkey but vote for independence angered

Turkey & Iraqi government. Regarded as southern Kurdistan.

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Autonomous Kurdish Region

Iranian Kurds

Called eastern Kurdistan or Iranian Kurdistan. 10% of population of

Iran. Speak Kurdish language & are

mainly Sunni. Kurdish nationalism is growing,

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Turkish KurdsLargest ethnic minority-15-20% of the

population. Considered as Northern Kurdistan.

Speaking Kurdish forbidden. Leaders of Kurdish pro democratic party

(HADEP) were imprisoned. PKK fighting for broader Kurdish cultural &

economic benefits. Cost to Turkey to control Kurds has totaled

about 500 billion US dollars. 11

US-Iran Relations

April 7th., 1980 President Carter severed diplomatic ties with Iran. Switzerland represents the US in

Iran. Pakistan represents Iran in the US.

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IranOne dozen ethnic groups represent one third of

the population . Shi’ism is the official religion.

.

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Iran Nuclear Deal

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015 Between Iran & the P5+1…..US, France, Britain,

China & Russia + Germany. Also the EU. 19,000 centrifuges to 6,104 with 5,060 enriching

uranium. No enrichment over 3.67%

Reduce uranium stockpiles from 10,000kg to 300kg for 15 years.

Allow inspection of all nuclear sites & supply chain.

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JCPOA

In January 2018 Mossad captured half a ton of documents.

Had 6 hrs & 20 minutes to disable alarms, break through 2 doors, & burn open dozens of safes.

Captured 50,000 pages, 163 compact discs of Irans nuclear activity.

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JCPOA

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“under no circumstance will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire

any nuclear weapons”

Iran’s M.E. Expansion•

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Hormuz & Bab el Mandeb

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Hormuz

Bab el Mandeb

In Syria US had worked with Kurds thatTurkey regards as terrorists.

US arms Kurds to fight ISIS. Turkey undermines this fight.

Incirlik air base. Used by US & NATO to strike ISIS. Turkish Nationalists want US out.

Fethullah Gülen. Lives in US & Turkey wants him extradited. Accused of attempted coup inJuly 2016

US-Turkey Relations

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Fethulla Gulen

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Fethulla Gulen & the Gulen Movement

3-6 million volunteer based organisation focused on education & interfaith dialogue.

Involved in discussion of Turkey & Islam in the modern world. Is anti-communist.

In Turkey (banned), Africa, Central Asia, the Americas & Europe.

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Halkbank. US & Turkey dispute about investigation onto Turkish banking system.A Turkish banker, Mehmet Atilla, in prison for violating US sanctions against Iran.

Erdogan bodyguards. In 2017 when on visit to the US Erdogan’s bodyguards attacked protestors. US has dropped charges against 11 of 15.

???Will US send F-35’s to Turkey

Turkey largest army in NATO

US-Turkey relations

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US & EgyptObama cut off aid after ouster of Morsi (Muslim Brotherhood) by military (Sisi)

Recent release of $195 million in military aid

Has received $71.6 billion from 1948-2011

Received $1.3 billion yearly since 1987

US has a problem with human rights in Egypt

Helping fight ISIS in Sinai (also help from Israel).23

Egypt vs ISIS in Sinai

Israel Egypt

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US & Saudi ArabiaSecond largest oil supplier to the US 11% (Canada 40%)

Largest purchaser of US military equipment

Partner in security & counter terrorism

Many cultural exchange programs for Saudis

US military Corp of Engineers has built many projects

55,000 Saudi students at American universities & colleges

Murder of Adnan Khashoggi

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Saudi Prince Salman(MBS)

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US & Jordan Largest financial aid is from the US

A major non-NATO ally

$1.7 billion aid in 2017 & free trade area

$1.1 billion for refugees

MOU to give $6.375B over 5 years

Massive infrastructure built

Anti-terrorism cooperation

Thousands educated & trained in the US27

Infrastructure Projects in Jordan

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Syrian Refugees in Jordan

1.4 million refugees in Jordan

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US & IraqIn Iraq -Iran War supplied Iraq with weapons including chemicals

Recent history of wars against Iraq

Now are strategic allies since 2003 after Saddam defeated

ISIS & it’s connection to removing all Baathists from the army

A Shi’ite government with good relations with Iran

Present travel ban on citizens coming to the US

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Water Issues

Turkey & Iran divert water from Iraq

Zagros Mtns.

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US & Lebanon$2 billion in aid since 2006

Supports army & internal security & counter ISIS

$1.8 billion since start of Syrian crisis

Over 1 million refugees from Syria & +/- 200,000 Palestinians, 20,000 Iraqi’s. Highest/capita

Trade agreements with US

Hizballah a “State within a State”

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Israel-Lebanese border

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“Type a quote here.”

–Johnny Appleseed

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“Type a quote here.”

–Johnny Appleseed

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US moves Embassy to JerusalemMove recognises Western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Status of East Jerusalem to be decided by negotiations

Links Israel to it’s ancient capital & 3,000 years of Jewish history

Major setback for the narrative that the Jewish State doesn’t belong

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Jerusalem in Islam Sunni vs Shia

Sunni From holiest in order are: Mecca, Medina &

Jerusalem. Some scholars, al-Ghazali & Ibn Taymiyya don’t consider it especially holy. Saudi’s follow Ibn

Taymiyya but don’t want to appear pro-Zionist.

Shia Mecca, Medina & Najaf(in S.Iraq). Khumeini started

to focus on Jerusalem to be anti-Zionist

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Sunni-Shia DifferencesDiffer as to who should have succeeded Mohammed

after he died in 632 CE. Shia believe in hierarchical leaders, Sunni in whoever is

the most capable. Shia believe leadership through Ali, cousin & son-in-law of Mohammed & his son Hussain. Believe in a line of 12 Imams (Twelvers). Value martyrdom & sacrifice.

Sunni 5 daily prayer sessions, Shia 3 sessions. Sunni cross arms, Shia have arms at their sides.

Sunni follow religious texts, Shia living religious leaders.

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Palestinian Refugees & UNRWA

UN refugee agencies UNHCR & UNWRA.

UNHCR Budget 1/3 of UNWRA with 65,000,000 refugees

Unique definition of Palestinian refugees have patrilineal hereditary status so numbers keep growing . 1/3 still live in refugee camps.

Makes peace impossible. Have actively supported terrorism.

Was a swap of populations.

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Muslim World50 Muslim majority countries

World Muslims= 1.53 billion 85% Sunni & 15% Shia

GDP= $4.83 trillion(US=$18 trillion)

Land Mass= 25.9 million square kilometers (10 million square miles)

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