Cold War Politics & Thesis Statement

The Cold War: Containment

Containment- the best defense strategy

agreed upon by American officials

against the Soviet threat by the

time World War II ended.

The Cold War: The Atomic Age

“Arms Race” - American officials encouraged the developments of atomic weapons like the ones that had ended World War II. In 1949, the Soviets tested an atom bomb of their own. In response, President Truman announced that the United States would build an even more destructive atomic weapon: the hydrogen bomb, or "superbomb."

The Cold War: The Red Scare

the House Un-American Activities

Committee (HUAC) began a series of

hearings designed to show that

communist subversion in the United

States was alive and well.

The Cold War Abroad

the first military action of the Cold War began when the Soviet-backed North Korean People’s Army invaded its pro-Western neighbor to the south.

The Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961

Cuban missile crisis

Vietnam, where the collapse of the French colonial regime had led to a struggle between the American-backed nationalist Ngo Dinh Diem in the south and the communist nationalist Ho Chi Minh in the north.

The Close of the Cold War

President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) began to implement a new approach to international relations. After a trip in China (1972), began to establish diplomatic

relations with Beijing. At the same time, he adopted a policy of "détente"–"relaxation"–toward the Soviet Union.

In 1972, he and Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev (1906-1982) signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I), which prohibited the manufacture of nuclear missiles by both sides and took a step toward reducing the decades-old threat of nuclear war.

Despite Nixon’s efforts, the Cold War heated up again under President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). He worked to provide financial and military aid to

anticommunist governments and insurgencies around the world. (Reagan Doctrine)

Soviet Union was disintegrating.

Premier Mikhail Gorbachev (1931-) took office in 1985 and introduced two policies that redefined Russia's relationship to the rest of the world: "glasnost," or political openness

"perestroika," or economic reform.

In November of that year, the Berlin

Wall–the most visible symbol of the

decades-long Cold War was finally

destroyed

Superpower Alignments in the

Middle East

BACKGROUND

There were TWO superpowers: United States and Soviet Union United States- Western World

Soviet Union- satellite states that constitute the Eastern Bloc

Marshall Plan and COMECON (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance)

Formation of NATO and Warsaw Pact NATO- military alliance

Warsaw Pact- mutual defense treaty between communist states

Middle East

The region lay directly

south of the Soviet

Union, who

traditionally had great

influence

in Turkey and Iran.

The area also had vast

reserves of oil which

would be essential for

American allies in

Europe and Japan

The original American plan for the Middle East was to form a defensive perimeter along the north of the region.

Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan signed the Baghdad Pact and joined CENTO (Central Treaty Organization

The Eastern response was to seek influence in states such as Syria and Egypt. Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria made arms deals to Egypt and Syria, giving Warsaw Pact members a strong presence in the region.

In 1956, General Gamal Abder Nasser drove out British forces in his campaign to nationalize the Suez Canal. This was a major victory for the Soviet Union because

Egypt was a former British protectorate.

The same goes for Syria which was a former French protectorate

The Suez Crisis ensues- UK and France launched an Israeli invasion of Egypt to regain Western control of the region and to remove Nasser from power

Suez Crisis

Nasser was greatly respected and admired

globally and by the Arab world

The Western powers’ attack was viewed as

acts of imperialism while the Soviet Union was

portrayed as defenders of the Third World

Eventually, the US persuaded UK and France

to retreat

In the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian

Conflict, the Israelis are the

aggressor.

INTRODUCTION Significance of the topic

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of

the world’s longest-standing conflicts.

The differences between the two groups

have caused wars and violence that

claimed countless lives from both sides.

Additionally, this is also a considerable source of

political instability in the world. The Israeli-Palestinian

have significantly contributed to Arab and Muslim

grievances against the West in general and the US in

particular.

Failure to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may

further fuel extremism throughout the Middle East.

Why the topic is argumentative

The world is divided on this issue. On one

hand, some people are saying that the

Palestinians are extremists and tyrants. While

on the other hand, the Israelis are accused of

being usurpers and land-grabbers.

This report is argumentative insofar as it

challenges and questions the actions of Israel.

Definition of Terms

Palestinians: Arabic-speaking people who have

lived in Palestine, the region between the

Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan river.

Currently, they occupy Gaza Strip and parts of

West Bank. Predominantly Muslims.

Israelis- inhabitants of the modern state of Israel

with the Israeli Jews as the largest ethnic group.

Note: Territories are still contested.

Definition of Terms

Imperialism- characterized by expansionist

and mercantilist policies

Mercantilist – control of foreign trade

Primarily has been applied to Western political and

economic dominance in the 19th and 20th

centuries.

Argument # 1:

PALESTINE:

One Land, Two Communities

Explanation: The West Bank and the

Gaza Strip became distinct

geographical units as a

result of the 1949 armistice

that divided the new Jewish

state of Israel from other

parts of Mandate Palestine.

From 1948-67, the West

Bank, including East

Jerusalem, was ruled by

Jordan, which annexed the

area in 1950 and extended

citizenship to Palestinians

living there

s Israel invaded the

West Bank and

East Jerusalem in

1967 and has

occupied it since.

The occupation is

illegal according to

international law. It is

also illegal, under

international law, for

Israel to build

settlements and

populate occupied

territory with its own

civilian population.

Number of Settlements and

“Outposts”

Since 1967, Israel has built

120 settlements in the West

Bank, and 12 settlements in

East Jerusalem. The Interior

Ministry calls them

“communities,” though some

settlements’ land boundaries

are not contiguous.

In addition to the settlements,

Israelis have built 100 so-

called “outposts” that don’t

have the status of settlements

in the Interior Ministry’s eyes

but do enjoy the same

protection from the Israeli

military, the same funding

from Israeli nationals and the

same special treatment from

Israeli authorities, such as

roads, utilities and schools for

the exclusive use of settlers.

Population of the Settlements

The Jewish rate of population growth in

the settlements, at 5.8%, is far higher

than in Israel proper (1.8%), leading to a

rapid rise in settler the population. In

2009, some 300,000 Israelis lived in the

West Bank, not including East

Jerusalem.

Israel's Separation Barrier in the West Bank: Security Fence or Land Grab?

Israel began building the planned 425-mile separation barrier in the West Bank in June 2002.

official purpose was to reduce suicide bombings in Israel, which in 2001 and 2002 claimed the lives of 335 civilians and Israeli troops in Israel. Israeli forces killed 1,442 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank during the same period, according to B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights.

Israel's Separation Barrier in the West Bank Security Fence or Land Grab?

was also a recognition on Israel's part

that Israeli public opinion supports a

two-state solution

is taking shape as both a physical

barrier and a psychological separation

that literally sums up in concrete and

barbed wire the many dead ends of the

peace process.

But the barrier has created a set of new

Palestinian resentments.

The barrier does not follow the boundaries

of the Green Line (the unofficial border

delineating the West Bank from Israel

following the 1967 Six-Day War). Rather,

Israeli security forces are building it well

inside the West Bank and in circuitous

patterns that in places surround entire

Palestinian communities.

Argument # 2:

Israel:

A Colonial Imperialistic

Project

Explanation:

"His Majesty's Government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a

national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to

facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing

shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-

Jewish communities [over 90% of the inhabitants] in Palestine"

In an era of European colonialism, which

in 1918 controlled 85% of the globe, the

British Empire could dismiss the rights of

local populations around the empire.

Lord Balfour wrote in a letter of August

1919, "In Palestine we do not propose

even to go through the form of

consulting the wishes of the present

inhabitants of the country."

The arrogance of the British Government (His

Majesty's) was challenged by an official

American report from the King-Crane Commission

which in 1919 reported to President

Woodrow Wilson.

Wilson, as the present President Bush, had

dreams of democratizing the world - the

world should no longer be dominated by

European colonial powers.

The American democratic vision was

rejected by the Imperial-Colonial powers

of Europe and as a consequence the

League of Nations in 1920 assigned the

responsibility (mandate) for Palestine to

Great Britain.

Argument # 3:

Israel: A Christian-Zionist

Project

Explanation:

What is Zionism?

Zionism is a totalitarian ideology that aims to control the religious, social and political life of mankind in all its aspects -- the life of its followers without qualification, and the life of those who follow the so-called tolerated religions to a degree that prevents their activities from getting in the way in any manner.

The term "Zionism" itself is derived from the word Zion (Hebrew: ציון, Tzi-yon ), referring toJerusalem.

The term "Zionism" was first introduced in 1893 by Nathan Birmbaum, but Theodor Herzl, an Austrian Jew born to a prosperous, emancipated Budapest family, is recognized as the founder of the Zionist ideology when he published his book in 1896, "The Jewish State", where he declared that the cure for anti-Semitism was the establishment of a Jewish state. As he saw it, the best place to establish this state was in Palestine.

While Herzl claimed that the establishment of a "Jewish" state would cure anti-Semitism, he also promoted anti-Semitism to further his cause.

Herzl stated in his diary:

“It is essential that the sufferings of Jews.. .

become worse. . . this will assist in

realization of our plans. . .I have an

excellent idea. . . I shall induce anti-

Semites to liquidate Jewish wealth. . . The

anti-Semites will assist us thereby in that

they will strengthen the persecution and

oppression of Jews. The anti-Semites shall

be our best friends”.

Benny Morris (the Israeli Historian), described how Herzl foresaw how anti-Semitism could be "HARNESSED" for the realization of Zionism. He stated:

"Herzl regarded Zionism's triumph as inevitable, not only because life in Europe was ever more untenable for Jews, but also because it was in Europe's interests to rid the Jews and relieved of anti-Semitism: The European political establishment would eventually be persuaded to promote Zionism. Herzl recognized that anti-Semitism would be HARNESSED to his own--Zionist-purposes." (Righteous Victims, p. 21)

What is Christian Zionism?

Christian Zionism is a belief among

some Christians that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land, and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, is in accordance with Biblical prophecy. It overlaps with, but is distinct from, the nineteenth century movement for theRestoration of the Jews to the Holy Land, which had both religiously and politically motivated supporters. The term Christian Zionism was popularized in the mid-twentieth century. Prior to that time the common term was Restorationism.

Christian Zionist Philosophy

and Its Influence on

Various Events in the Arab-

Israeli Conflict

The Philosophy

John Nelson Darby, father of contemporary visions of

Armageddon, believed that God’s involvement in history was exhibited in the seven different epochs or dispensations, beginning with the creation and ending with Christ’s thousand year reign of peace.

He posited that the nation of Israel, destroyed by the Romans in 70-135 A.D., would be restored.

Diaspora Jews from all corners of the globe would return to Palestine, fulfilling what he thought were Biblical promises found in the books of Thessalonians, Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc.

The restoration of Israel will prepare history for the two comings of Christ: First, he will appear in the heavens and the

“born again” Christians will be swept up to meet him in the heavens (The Rapture).

Then after seven years of chaos and torment (The Great Tribulation) wherein two thirds of the Jews will die, Christ will return a second time to reign on Earth. In this reign the remaining Jews will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior reign with Christ on Earth.

Influences on Events in the Arab-

Israeli Conflict

Lord Balfour, author of the Balfour Declaration in 1917,

was a member of the “Brethren”, a Christian community deeply influenced by Darby’s philosophy. Not only did he accept this view of the Bible, but Lord Balfour was determined to help God make it happen.

American Christian Evangelical Fundamentalists fully supported Israel with the belief that only a Jewish state and a temple reconstruction would allow Darby’s predictions to transpire.

Believers were thrilled with the Israeli declaration of independence in their 1948 return to Palestine and the 1967 occupation of West Bank and liberation of the temple wall in Jerusalem.

Fundamentalist leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson claimed to speak for millions as they advocated a fanatic support of Israel by the U.S.A. In reward for this political and financial support the Prime Minister of Israel, Menachen Begin, gave Rev. Jerry Falwell the Jabotinsky Award from the government of Israel.

Former US President George Bush is a believer and has issued military aid to Israel with an annual $150 million increase starting from $2.55 billion in 2009 and $3.15 billion per year in 2013-2018, effective since August 2007.

Christian Zionism terrorizes

contemporary Palestinian Christian

People who are committed to non-

violent struggle against Israel’s injustice.

On August 22, 2006, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Episcopal Bishop of Jerusalem and the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land in "The Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism" stated: "We categorically reject Christian Zionist doctrines as false teaching that corrupts the Biblical message of love, justice and reconciliation…We are committed to non-violent resistance as the most effective means to end the illegal occupation in order to attain a just and lasting peace."

CONCLUSION:

In the on-going Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, the

Palestinians simply defended their homeland that has

been usurped and occupied by Israeli foreigners.

Moreover, the war will continue until Israelis learn to

cooperate with their Palestinian neighbors in developing

a prosperous state rather than an oppressed one. Lastly,

the Jewish State, along with its superpower supporters,

firmly believe that the events that occurred in the bible is

still relevant to the 21st century issue; when for in fact, it

only served as a justification for the waged war against

Palestine. It therefore follows that the aggressors are not

the Palestinians, but the Jews.