41
Iran Turkey Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Saudi Arabia Kurds US ME Relations 1 Kurds
Iran
Turkey
Egypt
Syria
Jordan
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Kurds
US ME Relations
1
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.
2
Kurdish Factions
3
4
Why Turkey is invading Syria-you tube
Kurds
5
Kurdish PopulationsTurkey=14.5 million
Iran= 6 million Iraq= 5.5 million
Syria= less than 2 million Other= 6 million
Total= 34 million
6
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.
7
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.
8
9
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,
10
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.
12
IranOne dozen ethnic groups represent one third of
the population . Shi’ism is the official religion.
.
13
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.
14
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.
15
JCPOA
16
“under no circumstance will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire
any nuclear weapons”
Hormuz & Bab el Mandeb
18
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
19
Fethulla Gulen
20
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.
21
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
22
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
24
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
25
Saudi Prince Salman(MBS)
26
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
28
Syrian Refugees in Jordan
1.4 million refugees in Jordan
29
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
30
Water Issues
Turkey & Iran divert water from Iraq
Zagros Mtns.
31
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”
32
Israel-Lebanese border
33
“Type a quote here.”
–Johnny Appleseed
34
“Type a quote here.”
–Johnny Appleseed
35
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
36
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
37
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.
38
39
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.
40
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)
41
