MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT MADE EASY... MAYBE (part 3/3)

Obviously, read these in the right order (start with part 1). Due to the nature of the blog, more recent posts appear first...

To completely understand the situation leading up to the present day, first we must consider the events that led up to it. The following is a timeline of the first Gulf War.

1990

Saddam Hussein declares oil production by neighbouring Kuwait “economic warfare”, and also accuses the country of stealing oil from Iraqi oil fields.

100,000 Iraqi troops invade Kuwait, initiating the Gulf War.

1991

Despite warnings from America to withdraw, Hussein’s forces continued to occupy Kuwait.

Iraqi forces also attempt to invade Saudi Arabia, but are repelled by local armed forces.

Operation ‘Desert Storm’ is launched. American, British and French troops (aka; the Coalition) attack Hussein’s forces.

Coalition forces liberate Kuwait. Iraq surrenders, but Saddam Hussein is allowed to remain leader of Iraq.

Although most Coalition troops return home, several thousand American soldiers remain in Saudi Arabia, under the name Operation ‘Southern Watch’.

Terrorism in Saudi Arabia is unleashed by radical Islamic fighters. Their targets include foreign civilians—mainly Westerners affiliated with its oil-based economy—as well as Saudi civilians and security forces.

So, why did America’s presence in Saudi Arabia anger Bin Laden? Since Saudi Arabia houses the holiest sites in Islam — Mecca (where the prophet Muhammed was born) and Medina (where he is buried) — many Muslims felt the American presence there was insulting and degrading to their beliefs.

1997

Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister of Britain.


2000

George W Bush becomes the President of America.

Till this point Bin Laden,who has since founded Al Qaeda and committed numerous acts of terrorism (already earning him a place in America's 'Most Wanted'), still remained a largely unheard of figure. All that changed in 2001...

2001

On September the 11th, 19 terrorists (members of Al Qaeda, and under the instruction of Bin Laden), hijack 2 civilian planes and intentionally fly them into the Twin Towers / World Trade Centre. Close to 3000 people die. 17 of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia.

Anthrax attacks kill 5 and infect 17 others by spores released in New York, Boca Raton, Florida, and Washington D.C. in the United States.

George W Bush declares "War on terror". Conflict in Afghanistan begins, including Operation ‘Active Endeavour’, designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction.

Tony Blair states that the intelligence on Iraq's possession of WMDs was "beyond doubt", and that evidence exisits to tie Saddam Hussein to Osama Bin Laden.

For the second time, America and Britain go to war against Iraq.


2003

Anti-war groups across the world publicly protest against war with Iraq. About 36 million people across the globe take part in almost 3,000 protests.

President George W. Bush, justifying the war in Iraq, refers to it as "the central front in the War on Terror”.

Saddam Hussein is found and captured by U.S. forces. No evidence was ever obtained to indicate the production of WMDs, or of a possible link between Hussein and Bin Laden.


2004

The United States government, led by the Central Intelligence Agency's Special Activities Division, begins a series of on-going attacks on targets in northwest Pakistan. These attacks sought to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants who were thought to have found a safe haven in Pakistan.


2005

July 21st, the London bombings kill over 50 people and injure 700 more. The explosions occurred around midday at Shepherd's Bush, Warren Street and Oval stations on London Underground, and on a bus in Shoreditch. A fifth bomber dumped his device without attempting to set it off.

In a videotaped message aired on Arab television station Al Jazeera,  Al Qaeda state that they had the "honour" of carrying out the attacks.


2006

Following his capture in 2003, the trial of Saddam took place under the Iraqi interim government. Saddam was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to death by hanging.

Saddam's ignoble death was later leaked onto the Internet, recorded via a hidden mobile phone.



I feel that I should point out that Saddam was no more or no less guilty of war crimes on this occasion than he was after loosing the first Gulf War- yet on that occasion he was allowed to remain in power, and on this occasion he was condemned to death.

Again, no evidence was ever obtained to indicate the production of WMDs, or of a possible link between Hussein and Bin Laden.

Tony Blair, suffering backlash for his role in the Iraq war and allegations of misleading Parliament, steps down as Prime Minister.

2008

Barak Obama becomes the American President.


2009

Obama announces the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan


2010

David Cameron and Nick Clegg become the new leaders of Britain.

The Iraq Inquiry (also referred to as the Chilcot Inquiry) is launched to investigate Britain's involvement in Iraq. It covered the run-up to the conflict, the subsequent military action and its aftermath with the purpose to establish the way decisions were made, to determine what happened and to identify lessons to ensure that in a similar situation the same does not pass in future.

Testifying before the Iraq Inquiry, Tony Blair said of Saddam, in light of the evidence that Saddam neither supported Bin Laden or possessed WMDs, was a "monster and I believe he threatened not just the region but the world."

Obama announces that the United States combat mission in Iraq is over.


2011

Osama Bin Laden is shot and killed during a raid by United States Navy Seals on his secret base in Pakistan.

2012 / the present day...

So far as I can see it, the official line for why NATO soldiers continue to fight in the Middle East is “a continued effort to bring freedom and democracy to the struggling countries of Iraq and Afghanistan”, all while being attacked by small pockets of resistance, comprised of the remnants of Hussein’s old army, and the remaining Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.

Well, that's my attempt to explain the present situation in the Middle East.

Hardly a barrel of laughs, but hopefully it was instructive...

Your thoughts, please? Am I 'off base'? Do tell...