SS Iraq Kuwait Transnational Terrorism 2013

8/12/2019 SS Iraq Kuwait Transnational Terrorism 2013

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Theme: Managing InternationalRelations (DC 2013)

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Social Studies

Chapter 1:

Managing Peace and Security:Regional and International Conflict


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The biggest challenge to peace and securityis solving territorial disputes. To what extent

do you agree with this statement?


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Why do conflicts occur?

Conflicts occur when countries respond ina hostile manner because they feel thattheir national interests have been

threatened or there is a clash of interestsamong countries.

Alternative methods such as diplomacyand deterrence have not been effective.


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Case Study: Diaoyu / SenkakuIslands Diaoyu (Chinese) or Senkaku (Japanese)

are a group of uninhibited islands currentlycontrolled by Japan in the East China Sea.

Japan formally annexed the islands afterher victory in the First Sino-Japanese War.

Islands came under US governmentoccupation after Japanese surrender inWW2.


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Case Study: Diaoyu / SenkakuIslands Returned to Japanese control in 1972.

The islands are also claimed by thePeoples Republic of China and Taiwan.

Both claim that the islands have been partof Chinese territory since 1534.


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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kitakojima_and_Minamikojima_of_Senkaku_Islands.jpg


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Case Study: Diaoyu / SenkakuIslands

In recent times, this long standing disputehas escalated into serious diplomatictensions between China and Japan.


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Case Study: Diaoyu / SenkakuIslandsPossible reasons for conflict:

1.Competition for economic resources.

-In 1969, the United Nations EconomicCommission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE)identified potential oil and gas reserves in thevicinity of the Senkaku Islands.

-However, exploration for these valuable resourcescannot start until the issue of territorial sovereigntyhas been settled.


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Case Study: Diaoyu / SenkakuIslandsPossible reasons for conflict

2. National Pride

-The islands are a reminder of Japanese historicalacts of domination over China especially duringthe Second World War.

-Recent acts by Japan to assert greater control

over the islands have resulted in a reappearanceof strong Chinese nationalism and patriotism.


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Case Study: Diaoyu / SenkakuIslandsPossible reasons for conflict

2. National Pride

-Eg. This show of patriotism have been seen inmass demonstrations against Japan, the boycott ofJapanese goods and even violent attacks onJapanese nationals in China.


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Put on your thinking caps

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was inevitable.

Do you agree?


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Kuwait Towers


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Aerial View of Kuwait City


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Iraq city


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Reminders of conflict


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Case Study: Iraq-Kuwait Conflict

Part A: Background

Iraq and Kuwait are located in the MiddleEast.

Majority ethnic group: Arabs

Religion practised by majority: Islam

Potential causes of conflict: economicdisparity between countries which maylead to envy from poorer nations.


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Part A: Background

There are differences in economicdevelopment among countries in theMiddle East.

Disparity between per capita income of oilproducing countries vis a vis countries withlittle oil reserves.


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Part A: Background

Middle East is a region of global strategicimportance.

A major oil producing region. Oil is amajor commodity used in many industriesand transportation.

Disruptions in oil supplies will affect thegrowth of many economies worldwide.


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Part A: Background

The Suez Canal is an important waterway

linking Europe to Asia.Any disruptions to this transport route will affect

trade in many locations worldwide.

Due to the above reasons, major world powers

(eg. USA) view developments in the Middle Eastseriously and are ready to intervene ifnecessary.


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Part A: Background

Iraq refused to recognise Kuwaitsindependence as it claimed that Kuwait was

historically a part of Iraq governed under thesame territory when they were both underOttoman rule.

Iraq had on several occasions claimed

sovereignty over Kuwait and even sent troops toclaim Kuwait in 1961. Turned back when theBritish and other Arab nations sent troops todefend Kuwait.


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Part A: BackgroundSignificance:

Beginnings of potential conflict. Iraq had shownterritorial designs on Kuwait, therefore it was a

security threat to Kuwait.

Although Iraq gave up its claim on Kuwait, therecontinued to be several instances where it used

its military power to threaten Kuwait over borderdisputes. (need to consider the reasons for Iraqsrecognition of Kuwaits independence, how

genuine was it?)


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Part A: Background

Despite their differences, there were also

instances where both countries cooperated.

E.g. During the Iran-Iraq war, Kuwait provided Iraqwith a loan of US $14 billion. (Important to note

that Kuwait was motivated by self-interests as itsaw the new Iranian regime as an externalthreat)


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Part B: Contributing factors to conflict

1. Economic problems

As a result of the Iran-Iraq war, Iraqowed about USD$80 billion in debts. Thereconstruction of the war-torn countryalso required about USD $230 billion.

Iraq thus had to find ways to repay thedebts as well as rebuild the country.


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2. Link between fall in oil prices and Kuwait

Iraq hoped to pay off their debts by earning

more revenue from the sale of oil.However, oil prices fell due to overproduction by

some countries, including Kuwait. They ignored

quotas imposed by OPEC.

OPEC: Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries


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Such action caused a decline in oil prices(from US$18 to US $7 per barrel at onepoint)

This decline caused Iraq to lose potentialrevenue which made it even more difficult

to pay off her debts and improve hereconomic situation.


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Significance: Tensions between Kuwait andIraq may have increased as Iraq considered

Kuwaits actions as an act of economic war.

3. Territorial disputes

Borders inherited from the British were notwell defined. Therefore, they were open tocontention from both parties.


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Case study #1: Rumaila oilfield. Both Iraqand Kuwait shared this profitable oilfield.

In1990, Iraq accused Kuwait of stealingoil by drilling oil from the Iraqi side usingslant-drilling technology.

Kuwait denied such actions.


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Iraq demanded that Kuwait stop drilling from theRumaila oilfield and pay Iraq US $2.4 billion in

compensation. Kuwait refused.

Case study #2: Bubiyan and Warbah Islands.

Kuwait inherited islands from the British. Iraqwas unhappy as these islands were strategicallylocated off Iraqs only port Umm Qasr.


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Part B: Contributing factors to conflictControl of the islands meant that Kuwait had the

potential to block off Iraqs access to the Gulf,which would affect Iraqs oil transportation and

therefore its revenue earning potential.

Iraq attempted to claim ownership of the islandsin the 1960s and 1970s. From 1978, Iraq tried to

lease the islands from Kuwait but both countriesfailed to reach a suitable agreement. Kuwait wasfearful that any agreement would encourage Iraqto make further territorial demands.


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Part B: Contributing factors to conflictSignificance: Kuwait viewed Iraq as a security

threat.

4. Ineffectiveness of mediation to resolve theconflict.

Iraq complained to the Arab League on severalissues.

Under combined pressure from Saudi Arabia,Iran and Iraq, Kuwait and UAE agreed toproduce oil according to OPEC quotas.


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Arab league also organised a dialogue betweenIraq and Kuwait.

Negotiations appeared to start off well. OPECministers agreed to raise oil prices, which wouldbenefit Iraq through increased revenue.

At a meeting on 1 Aug 1990, Kuwait also

agreed to write off Iraqs wartime debt as well asprovide an additional US $500 million loan toIraq.


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However, Iraq walked out of the talkswhen Kuwait refused to give in to anyterritorial demands.

Talks were scheduled to resume on 4August 1990. However, in the early hours

of 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.(escalation of conflict)


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Part C: Reasons for Iraqi Invasion

1. Iraqi government claimed that they had enteredKuwait at the request of the revolutionaries tofree Kuwait from the ruling government.

2. Saddam Husseins character

Viewed Kuwaits repeated refusals to give in to

Iraqi demands as an act of defiance and apersonal attack against him.

Revolutionaries: People who attempt to change the political situation in a country


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Part C: Reasons for Iraqi invasionInvasion as a distraction to the countrys

economic hardships as a result of the Iran-Iraqwar.

3. Confident that the USA would not intervene inthe conflict.

After earlier meetings with the American

ambassador, Saddam Hussein felt confident thatthe Americans were sympathetic to Iraq andwould not aid Kuwait.


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Part D: Reactions to the conflict

1. Fear of Iraqi dominance in the Middle East

Iraq now controlled about 20% of worlds oil

production. Concern that Iraq might set its sights on Saudi

Arabias oil fields as well, knowing that the

Saudi armed forces did not have the samebattle experience as the Iraqis. (c.f. Iran-Iraqwar)


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If Iraq controlled large reserves of oil, the worldoil prices may be largely determined by the Iraqi

regime.

This would have economic implications foreconomies world wide. (eg. An Iraqi decision to

raise oil prices would affect prices of goods andservices worldwide. E.g. the price of MRT rides inSingapore would rise)


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Part D: Reactions to the conflict2. Arab response

Most Arab countries were not in favour of westernintervention.

Kuwait appealed to the Arab League to organise ajoint response to the Iraqi invasion.

Mixed response from Arab nations. A votecondemning Iraqi actions as well as calling upon

Iraq to withdraw was passed only by a slim margin.This showed that the League would find it difficult todeal effectively with the crisis and form a unitedresponse.


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3. Western intervention

Saudi Arabia invited the US to helpdefend the kingdom against any potentialIraqi threat.

This grew into a military coalitioncomprising of more than 30 countriesknown as Operation Desert Shield.


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4. International response

UN security council passed a resolutionunanimously demanding an immediate Iraqiwithdrawal from Kuwait.

Both Kuwaiti and Iraqi assets worldwidewere also immediately frozen to preventIraq from making use of the funds.


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Economic sanctions were also imposedon Iraq to force it withdraw from Kuwait.

Countries were not allowed to buy from orsell to Iraq, except food and medicine.This reduced the revenue of Iraq

significantly.


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Part E: Arguments for the use of force

1. Iraqs lukewarm response to a diplomaticsolution

Initially, Iraq seemed in favour of adiplomatic resolution to the conflict, evenagreeing to withdraw if the ruling

government was not allowed back inpower.


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Case Study: Iraq-Kuwait ConflictPart E: Arguments for the use of force

Iraqs response became increasingly defiantafter the Arab League voted to condemn Iraqs

actions. Declared the annexation of Kuwait andrefused to withdraw from the country.

Took western nationals in Iraq and Kuwaithostage. They were taken to sensitive military

installations to be used as human shields todeter any attacks on these places.

Annexation: to incorporate a country or other territory within the domain of another state


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Some diplomatic success. As a result ofinternational criticism and diplomatic efforts, all

women and children hostages were released. Allhostages were released a few months later.

With the threat of a coalition attack on Iraq, Iraqoffered to withdraw from Kuwait if certain pre-

conditions were met such as an end tosanctions, full control of the Rumaila oilfield etc.These demands were denied by the US.


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The UN gave Iraq a deadline of 15January 1991 to withdraw its troops fromKuwait. A meeting between the Iraqi andthe US Secretary of State in Geneva a few

days before the deadline was alsounsuccessful.


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2. Economic sanctions would take a longtime to take effect

Full impact of sanctions would only be feltafter a year or so.

Some UN members may not adhere tothe sanctions for economic gains.


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3. Use of force deemed to be the most

effective and efficientOperation Desert Storm began and a

ceasefire was called when the coalition

forces regained Kuwait City.

Coalition: Temporary alliance of distinct parties, people or states for joint action


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Tomahawk Cruise Missile


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US planes flying over burning oil


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US planes flying over burning oil

wells


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W th f f b l t l


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Was the use of force absolutelynecessary?1. Decision to use force against Iraq was largely a US

led initiative, with tacit support from MiddleEastern nations.

Questionable how strong the support of the Arabnations were for a military solution to the conflict.

2. Were diplomatic avenues given enough time orimportance for them to be effective?

Only a short period of 6 months between the invasionof Kuwait and the coalition attack on Iraqi forces.

More time and effort on negotiations and diplomacycould have achieved a compromise solution.

3. Did the coalition forces have any right to intervenein the conflict between two other nations? (fordiscussion)


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Holiday Homework

(a) Explain how historical enmity contributedto the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait [5m]

(b) Explain 2 other reasons that contributedto the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait.Which of them is more important? Explain

your answer. [10m]Submit the SEQ to your teachers on your first SS lesson. The

marks will be included as part of CA1 marks.


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Part F: Impact of the conflict

2. Military Impact

Military superiority of the coalition forceswere able to destroy Iraqs military

capabilities.

Iraqs military supremacy in the MiddleEast was lost as a result.


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3. Political Impact

Kurdish uprising in Iraq against SaddamHussein. Thousands of Kurds were massacredas a result as the coalition was reluctant tointervene in their support.

Peace keepers were eventually sent to northernIraq to provide safe areas for the Kurds.

Political instability in Iraq as a result.


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5. Environmental impact

Iraqi forces set fire to Kuwaiti oil wells anddumped about 11 million barrels of oil intothe Persian Gulf. Oil slicks destroyed largenumbers of marine life.


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UN role in the Iraq-Kuwait conflict.

Part A: Reasons for successful UNinvolvement.

1. Support from the five permanent members of

the Security Council to use force. All members had vested interests in ensuring

stability in the Middle East to safeguard oilsupplies.

Significance: UN involvement gave the warlegitimacy which it might not have if the USAhad decided to attack on its own accord.


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Concluding remarks:

the conflict is an example of how abilateral dispute impacted the larger global

community. (rise in oil prices)

This explained why many countriessupported the coalition attack on as their

interests were at stake.


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Transnational Terrorism

The unlawful use of force orindiscriminate violence by internationallylinked groups against persons and

properties in different parts of the world.Transnational terrorist groups usually

have an international membership. Aim to

bring about a regional or global politicalchange.


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Terrorism is not a new phenomenon.However, until recently, the scale andimpact has largely been limited or

localised.Eg. North Korean agents planted a bomb

on a South Korean airline in 1987. (other

eg. See TB page 30)


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Sept 11 attacks signalled a turning point interrorists attacks.

Showed that terrorists were well-trained, could

coordinate their actions and carry outindiscriminate attacks on civilians. (citizens fromover 30 countries died in the attacks)

Investigations revealed that the attacks were

carried out by a transnational terroristorganisation known as Al-Qaeda.


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Al-Qaeda

Seeks to rid Muslim countries of what itviews as western influencespecifically

the US.Establish a global Islamic caliphate based

on extremist misinterpretations of Islamicconcepts.

Achieve its aims through the use of actsof terror against the US and its allies.


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Has a multi-national membership scatteredglobally.

Makes use of the internet and internationalbanking to fund and carry out its attacks.

In response to the Sept 11 attacks, USAdeclared a global war on terror. US forcesentered Afghanistan in October 2001. Theyattacked the Taleban government who wereaccused of harbouring Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda terrorists.


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In essence, it falsely claims that Islam sanctionsand requires Muslims to undertake violenceagainst the West and its allies, which also

includes killing civilians.This ideology is rejected by Muslims and Islam.

In the wake of the Sept 11 attacks, more than120 Muslim organisations in Singapore issued a

joint public statement to condemn the misuse ofIslam for terrorism.


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However, threat from transnational terroristsremain real

Bali bombings 2002

Jakarta bombings of Marriott and Ritz CarltonsHotel 2009; Mumbai attacks 2010)

At the commemoration of the 10thAnniversary of

the Bali bombings, there was an increasedsecurity presence in 2012, showing that thethreat of terrorism remains real.


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Bali Bombings 2002


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1. Economic ImpactDamage during Sept 11 attacks cost insurance

companies an estimated US$ 40 billion.

Airline industry was heavily affected as manyfeared flying.

Loss in tourism revenue (aftermath of Balibombings)

Increased government spending to enhancesecurity. (less revenue for other infrastructuredevelopments, drain on resources)


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2. Social Impact

Terrorist acts may result in increasedtension and suspicion between racial and

religious groups. This may affect theharmony of the nation.

Singapore governments response was

the creation of the CommunityEngagement Programme (CEP) in 2006.


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CEP aims to bring together Singaporeansfrom different communities, to strengtheninter-communal bonds, and to put in place

response plans to help deal with potentialcommunal tensions after an incident.


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3. Political Impact

Security efforts to counter terrorism(tightened border controls) have resulted

in increased inconveniences for travellers.

Some post-Sept 11 measures in the USAunder Homeland Security Act have

infringed on individuals privacy andpersonal freedoms.


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Such actions may cause resentmentamong certain sectors of the electorateand may affect political partys standing in

future elections.


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Managing Transnational Terrorism

ASEANs effortsMember nations have pledged to cooperate against

transnational terrorists through joint police andintelligence measures.

ASEAN Regional Forum has been used as a platform todiscuss transnational terrorism issues.

E.g. Philippine authorities arrested JI bomb makerFathur Rohman Al Ghozi based on information providedto them by Singapore.

A peace agreement has also been achieved between thePhilippines government and the Moro Liberation Front(previously considered as a terrorist group)


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January 2007: Convention on Counter-terrorism was signed by ASEAN leaders inCebu.

First legally binding anti-terrorism accord,committed the national security and lawenforcement agencies of ASEAN nations

to work closely to fight terrorism.


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International cooperation

UN passed a series of resolutions to stopterrorism. Aimed at getting member nations to

freeze the financial assets of terrorists and theirsupporters among others.

A Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was setup to monitor member countries adherence to

the resolutions and to strengthen counterterrorism capacity of UN member states.


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Such measures have met with somesuccesses.

More than US $200million in terrorist

funds have been frozen. More than 4 000terrorist suspects arrested.

However, terrorists continue to be able toevade security measures and recruit newmembers. Hence such efforts mustcontinue.


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Need to nurture an environment thatrejects acts of terror and the ideas thatthey espouse.

Can be done through education andtaking an unequivocal stand against

terrorism.


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Conclusion

Increased inter-connectivity and globalisation has madeit increasingly harder to manage terrorism.

Therefore, it is crucial for countries to cooperate in theirefforts to counter terrorism.

Terrorism has no specific religion, ethnicity, nationality.

Hence any attempt to associate terrorism to a singlerace or religion would only spell discord amongcommunities.

Terrorists distort religious teachings for their advantageas all religions advocate peace and harmony.

It is crucial that society continues to play its part tocounter radical and extremist influences put forth byterrorists.

Q


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Past Year Questions

a) How far do you agree that the main reason forAl-Qaedas continued ability to resist attemptsto crush it has been the links it has with otherterrorist groups? Explain your answer.[12m]

b) Which is the greater threat posed to the worldby transnational terrorism its economic

impact or its social impact? Explain youranswer. [13m]

(Nov 2009)


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P Y Q i


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Past Year Questions

a) How far was the issue of oil production responsible forthe worsening relationship between Iraq and Kuwait?Explain your answer. [12m]

b) Here are the three results of Operation Desert Storm

(the Coalition operation to retake Kuwait):- Destruction of Iraqi military forces

- Political instability in Iraq

- Environmental damage

Was any one of these more significant than the others?Explain your answer. [13m]

(Nov 2008)

SS Iraq Kuwait Transnational Terrorism 2013

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Transcript of SS Iraq Kuwait Transnational Terrorism 2013