US Middle East Policy, Women's Rights, and Globalization

US Military Interventions in Middle East

The Gulf War marked a turning point in US foreign policy. In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, a US ally. The US, backed by the UN Security Council, led an international coalition to liberate Kuwait. Iraq was ordered to pay compensation, destroy its chemical and nuclear weapons, and faced an oil embargo. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, led by Al-Qaeda's Osama bin Laden, triggered a strong US military response. The US attacked Afghanistan's Taliban regime, which sheltered Al-Qaeda training camps. In March 2003, the US invaded Iraq, citing the existence of nuclear weapons and ties to terrorist groups, despite lacking UN support. Saddam Hussein was deposed and executed, but the US intervention led to a severe crisis, marked by conflict against invaders and between Islamist factions.

Women's Changing Roles

Women have increasingly joined the global workforce. Access to higher education and the feminist movement of the 1960s granted women more rights, including voting, control over their sexuality, divorce, and shared housework. Western lifestyles feature urban living, smaller families, and lower birth rates. In contrast, many regions maintain traditional family structures with higher birth rates. However, women in some countries face marginalization, limited education, attacks on personal freedom, and wage discrimination.

Understanding Globalization

Globalization signifies the accelerating interdependence of economies, driven by reduced barriers to the movement of goods, capital, and people. The expansion of European influence began with colonialism. Post-WWII, the world was dominated by two superpowers. The fall of the communist bloc led to a new world order centered around major economic blocs: the US, Japan, and the European Union. Goods, capital, and information circulate globally, with decision centers and dependent centers integrated into a single economic, social, and political framework. Technological advancements and trade liberalization have expanded the global market. Goods are produced and consumed worldwide using materials from various regions. Transportation improvements facilitate the movement of people and goods at lower costs. Global trade has increased significantly, and national economies are increasingly reliant on global networks. Companies, though based in one country, operate internationally with capital from various sources. This has led to a growing division of labor and relocation of production, prioritizing profitability.