Geopolitics and the World Order

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Geopolitics and the World Order
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Geopolitics

• The ability of a state (or nation) to control
  territory and affect the foreign policy of
  states, nations, and international relations
• Examples of Geopolitics in action
• Colonialism / (threat of) Military Intervention
• Neocolonialism / Imperialism
• Dependency and International Aid
• Treaties, Organizations, Alliances, Agreements
  (EU, NAFTA, NATO, World Bank, UN, etc.)

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Colonialism
Militarily
Organization (NATO)
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Geopolitical Theories

• Heartland Theory (Halford Mackinder)
• East / West Theory
• Domino Theory
• New World Order
• Since 9/11?

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Heartland Theory

• If you control Eurasia, you control the world
• Prior to Russian revolution, WWI
• Perhaps Hitler bought into this theory?

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East / West Theory Cold War

• 2 Options
• Ally with the West free, good
• Ally with the East Communist, Fascist evil
• Dominant perspective from 1917 (Russian
  Revolution) through 1989 / 1991

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Cold War propaganda map Red menace
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Domino Theory

• If one country turns to communism, then the next
  one will, and the next one, and the next one,
  etc. (i.e. China, Korea, Vietnam, etc.)

1945
1980
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Cuba
90 miles Havana to Key West, FL
Fidel Castro
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U.S. History with Cuba

• Free country up to 1959
• Fulgencio Batista MAJOR U.S. investment /
  influence (gambling, mafia, resorts Latin Las
  Vegas Gambling Mecca of New World)
• Americas Paradise Cancun
• Lucky Luciano arranged Frank Sinatra act in
  Havana
• Batista loved by U.S., became corrupted by U.S.
  
• Many Cubans wanted Cuba to be free of U.S.
  influence
• Cuban Revolution 1959 (1/1/59)

Batista
Cuban Revolution
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• Red Scare fear of spread of Communism around
  the world
• Since no longer part of West and no more U.S.
  influence, U.S. had fears of Cuba going
  Communistonly 90 miles away!
• 1960 Eisenhower tried to influence Cuba boycott
  sugar, no oil all diplomatic relations cut off
• 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion organized by CIA
  (largely composed of Cuban exiles living in
  U.S.)failed
• Castro in power ever since

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• 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
• Cuba allies with USSR (defense and trade) and
  Cuba agrees to allow Soviet Union to put missiles
  in Cuba (again, only 90 miles away)
• Cuban Missile Crisis U.S. reacts blockades
  Cuba orders removal of missiles
• USSR tells Cuba if U.S. fires or invades, launch
  missiles
• 2 weeks go by Khrushchev blinked
• Russia removes missiles
• 1963 JFK says trading with Cuba is ILLEGAL
  tells other countries (i.e. Latin America) that
  U.S. will cut off aid to anyone who trades with
  Cuba
• the EMBARGO begins

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Since 1963

• After the USSR collapsed, Cuba left
  without superpower, no
• Economic Embargo still in effect
• Fidel longest serving ruler in the world (48
  years) until he retired in 2008
• What (or who) happens after Raul?
• QUESTIONS
• Is the embargo working?
• Fidel is gone should we continue it?
• Who is it hurting / helping?
• Who wants to be the president to be viewed as the
  one who gave in to Communism? Will Obama be the
  guy?

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Cuba
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Travel!

• U.S. ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS / TRAVEL
  TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS The U.S. Treasury Dept
  requires that persons subject to U.S.
  jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any
  travel-related transactions concerning travel to,
  from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to
  tourist travel are not licensable.  This
  restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from
  or through a third country such as Mexico or
  Canada.  Travelers who fail to comply with
  Department of Treasury regulations will face
  civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon
  return to the United States and may face up to a
  250,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.

This is a U.S. law! Not a Cuban law.
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The UN Vote on the Embargo(11/13/12)

• FOR AGAINST
• United States 186 countries
• Israel around the
• Palau world
• (3 abstentions)

21 consecutive years that the UN has voted
overwhelmingly to end the embargo (but its not
their embargo)
http//www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/u
n-once-again-votes-to-condemn-us-embargo-against-c
uba/2012/11/13/8c3b15b0-2dbb-11e2-b631-2aad9d9c73a
c_story.html
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Geopolitics of the Middle East
Western influence in the Middle East

• 1948 Israel (re)created by U.N.
• In a mostly Arabic region, most reject / resent
  the decision by Core countries to assist in
  creation of Israel in what they consider their
  homeland (culturally, historically, religiously)
  for 3,000 years
• Cultural bias on part of Core countries?

Partition Plan signifies the birth of what has
come to be recognized as continuous trouble for
the U.S. (mostly) in the Middle East
Palestinian Newspaper
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1948 UN Partition Plan

• Jewish State
• (Israel)
• Arab State
• (Palestine)
• International Zone
• (Jerusalem)

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Jerusalem Holy City to Jews, Muslims, and
Christians
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(No Transcript)
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20th Century History of Israel / Palestine
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Nation?State?Nation-State?Concept?Occupied
Lands?
Palestine
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Palestinians

• West Bank
• Gaza Strip
• Arab (ethnic) territoriality
• Palestinians are multi-religious
• - Mostly Muslims but many Christians
• Ethnic nationalist movement, but some newer
  Muslim groups

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The Main Issue

• From Palestinian point of view
• Israel is made of land taken from the Arab World
• Anyone who supports Israel is part of the problem
  (Western Countries ethnocentrism?)
• From Israels point of view
• Israel is Jewish holy land, rightfully returned
• Under constant threat / attack
• SOLUTIONS ANYONE?