US conflicts in the Middle East

US conflicts in the Middle East

By Mr. Archible

Intro

The Middle East is a region that includes countries like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and others. The United States has had a long and complicated history of involvement in this region. In this presentation, we will learn about major U.S. conflicts in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hotspot

Please locate the "Middle East"

• ​Mineral rich land - holds more than Half of the world's oil reserves

• Strategic location - between Europe, Africa, and Asia has allowed for civilizations to flourish. Believed to be the "birthplace of civilization" (Mesopotamia and Sumer)

• Ongoing political and religious tensions - Conflicts also affect the global economy, especially when oil is involved or trade routes are at risk.

• US interests in global security, economy, and "terrorism prevention"

Why is the Middle East important?

• U.S. led a coalition to push Iraq out of Kuwait

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Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

• U.S. supported allies and opposed the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Soviet Regime looked to expand into the middle east during the Cold Wars

1950s-1990s

US and the Middle East before 2001

• U.S. invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban, who sheltered al-Qaeda

• Goal: Capture Osama bin Laden and eliminate terrorist safe havens

• Taliban government was overthrown quickly, but conflict continued

War in Afghanistan Begins 2001

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• Islamist group that ruled Afghanistan before 2001

• Known for strict laws and sheltering terrorists

• Continued to fight U.S. and Afghan forces for 20 years

What is the Taliban?

• U.S. invaded Iraq under President George W. Bush

• Claimed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and links to terrorism

• Saddam Hussein's government was overthrown

• No WMDs were ever found

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War in Iraq begins 2003

Open Ended

Why did the U.S. go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq?

What happened after Saddam?

• Iraq fell into chaos and civil conflict, as different ethnic and religious groups fought for power.

• The U.S. faced difficulties rebuilding the Iraqi government and military, which led to prolonged violence.

• The withdrawal of U.S. troops left a power vacuum that helped give rise to terrorist organizations like ISIS

• Continued unrest and instability have made Iraq a focal point of ongoing U.S. foreign policy challenges in the region

ISIS

• Stands for Islamic state of Iraq and Syria

• Known for extreme violence, public executions, and destruction of cultural sites

• U.S. and allies launched airstrikes and supported local forces

• By 2019, ISIS lost most of its territory

Ending the Wars

• U.S. combat operations in Iraq officially ended in 2011, but troops stayed

• In 2021, U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan after a 20 year occupation!

• Taliban regained control soon after US troops depart.

Impact of Middle Easter Conflicts

• Thousands of U.S. troops and hundreds of thousands of civilians killed

• Billions of dollars spent

• Ongoing refugee crises and instability in the region

• U.S. foreign policy forever changed

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By the numbers...

• War in Afghanistan (2001–2021): Over $2.3 trillion
  (Includes military operations, reconstruction, veterans' care, and interest on debt)

• War in Iraq (2003–2011): Around $2.1 trillion
  (Includes combat operations, rebuilding efforts, and long-term veteran care)

• Total Costs (including Syria, drone operations, and post-9/11 global military spending):
  Estimated at over $8 trillion
  

Open Ended

What are the challenges of fighting terrorism?

Open Ended

What should the U.S. do when conflicts in other countries affect us?