The area of the Middle East has been of concern since the establishment of the state of Israel. It continues to be one of the world's hot spots. After World War II, the world was horrified to learn of the holocaust against the Jewish people that had occurred under Hitler. Most nations were sympathetic to a movement to find a permanent home for the Jewish people who wished to return to their ancestral homeland, an area in the Arab state of Palestine where their numbers had been increasing steadily. In 1947, as a result of a vote in the United Nations, Palestine was split into two states — Israel and Palestine — according to whether the population was mainly Jewish or Arab. Since then, the region has been constantly involved in conflict.

During the Cold War, the United States supported Israel, and the Soviet Union supported the surrounding Arab states. Unfortunately, this resulted in both sides having access to very destructive weapons. Israel has fought for survival since the day it was created. Much resentment still exists in Palestine because it was forced to give up some of its territory so Israel could be a nation. On the other hand, Israel has also raised resentment against itself in the region through its actions to defend against threats from others by expanding the area it controls. At times, Israel was at war with its Muslim neighbours. Despite intense efforts by many of the world's leaders to resolve it, this issue remains the biggest threat to world peace.

Today, other nations have become involved in others' battles for several reasons. One reason is the potential risk that the conflict will grow so much that it could cause another world war. Although not always openly admitted, economic concerns can also lead to other nations being involved. Often, involvement results from a combination of reasons.

In 1990, troops from Iraq invaded Kuwait and took control of that country. This meant Iraq controlled the massive oil reserves in Kuwait and was within striking distance of the largest oilfield in Saudi Arabia. When all diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation failed, the United Nations sent a coalition force of 34 nations to liberate Kuwait from Iraq, both for the people and to maintain the security of Kuwait's huge oil reserves.

         

In 2003, the United States declared war on Iraq because they believed that Iraq's leader at the time, Saddam Hussein, was developing weapons of mass destruction. This was known as the Gulf War. The United Nations did not back the war because there was no concrete evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Canada supported the United Nation's position and did not send troops to fight in Iraq. Saddam Hussein was captured, but no weapons of mass destruction were ever found. Iraq's future remains unclear as the country still struggles to maintain order and establish a safe, democratic state.

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Another threat that the world faces is the spread of nuclear weapons. The United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France have nuclear weapons. India and Pakistan have conducted nuclear tests in the past, and North Korea is the most recent nation to detonate nuclear explosions. Some are suspicious that Israel also has nuclear weapons. The concern with many of these nations is that ruthless, irresponsible people might use them for their own gain regardless of the effect on the rest of the world. A Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty first appeared in 1968 and was extended in 1995. Currently, 189 countries have signed it, including the five nuclear powers. India, Pakistan, Iran, and Israel have never signed this treaty. North Korea did, but then it withdrew its signature in 2003 prior to conducting its first nuclear test.

Humanitarianism, terrorism, and peacekeeping are more reasons for international involvement in others' conflicts, and these will be addressed in later lessons.