How did the Cold War change the Middle East?

Answer 1

During the "Cold War" era, the "Free World" countries (USA, Europe, etc) were terrified that the so-called "Communist Block" countries. (USSR, China, etc) were seeking to dominate the world. For example, the USSR and China would support weak governments and "communist revolutionary" groups in various countries across the globe, and then the USA would seek to counter those activities. This type of conflict flared up in the Korean War, and then in Vietnam, and it became especially important later on in the Middle East oil-producing states, like Iran. In Iran, the communists aligned themselves with the Islamic right who together were able to over through the Shaw and embarrass the USA by capturing the US Embassy. Soon after, the Islamists weeded out the communists, and Iran became the first Islamic revolutionary state. From there, the Islamic movement grew and became increasingly bold and ambitious. They soon were able to defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan, the USA in Lebanon, and now the USA again in Iraq.
The fear that communism was spreading throughout the world through the efforts of the communist block countries was called the "domino theory" which was based on the fear that weak countries would literally fall into communist dictatorships like dominoes standing up in rows fall when the first one is tipped over.
Well, it's deja vu in the Middle East. But now AL-Qaeda and Iran are tinkering around with terrorist insurgencies and are destabilizing governments. The USA, once again, is trying to counter their efforts before the dominos begin to fall once again.

Therefore, how did the Cold War change the Middle East? The communist revolution of the cold war was hijacked by the radical Islamic movement in Iran. That was the change!

Below are some references that can give you greater detail. I suggest that you breeze through them and look for items that sound pertinent.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Most regimes were US backed. America hated communists, so the regimes there targetted leftists. By taking out the leftists, they created a void. That void was filled my Islamists. And guess what we're facing right now?

Answer 3

I'll write your report for you, but you'll have to pay for it!! LOL But seriously, if you're wanting to answer this question then research the Russian invasion in Afghanistan and the U.S. involvement. This should give you a good jump off point. Good luck!