The Muslim World, Latin America & Sub-Saharan Africa: A Geopolitical Overview

The Muslim World

Recent Armed Conflicts

The Gulf War (1990-1991)

• The Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. An international coalition led by the USA under UN mandate liberated Kuwait. It imposed an embargo on Iraqi oil.

The Invasion of Afghanistan (2001)

• Consequence of the attack on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, organized by Al-Qaeda.
• Al-Qaeda was based in Afghanistan and supported by the Taliban government.
• A coalition of troops from the US and allied countries overthrew the Taliban regime.
• A provisional government was established in its place.

The Invasion of Iraq (2003)

• There was a fear that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (threat to world peace).
• The USA, the UK, and other allied countries, including Spain, overthrew Saddam Hussein.
• A new government was established in Iraq.

Latin America & Sub-Saharan Africa

The Development of Latin America

1980s: Period of political instability due to military dictatorships and various guerrilla movements. This caused a significant economic crisis that brought inflation, debt, unemployment, and poverty.

1990s: Democracy was established in Argentina, Chile, and Nicaragua. However, Cuba maintained a communist regime under the rule of Fidel Castro.

• Strict economic readjustments were imposed by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) to repay debt.
• Economic cooperation between Latin American countries was promoted through Mercosur and the Comunidad Andina de Naciones.

Some countries in Latin America have become emergent powers thanks to:

• Wealth in natural resources.
• North American and European companies moved factories there to find cheap labor and new markets.

Sub-Saharan Africa, an Area of Instability

Sub-Saharan Africa is the most underdeveloped area in the world, facing:

• Political instability
• Economic underinvestment
• Rapidly growing demography
• Social inequality
• Malnutrition
• Illiteracy
• Epidemics such as AIDS

The most significant geopolitical conflicts are caused by:

• Rivalries between tribes for historical, religious, or ethnic reasons, often a result of the process of decolonization.
• Control of natural resources and mines.

These problems provoked interregional wars and civil wars that have caused massacres and the exodus of civilians. Many had to settle in refugee camps in neighboring countries, where life is extremely hard. The most affected countries are Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia.

The UN and International Meetings

The UN and Peacemaking

• The UN was created after the end of World War II (1945).
• Its headquarters are in New York.
• Almost all the countries in the world have permanent representation there.

The UN's most important missions are:

• The achievement of world peace
• The prevention of conflicts
• The delivery of humanitarian assistance

Recently, the peacekeeping forces (Blue Helmets or Blue Berets) have been sent on missions to restore peace in countries like El Salvador and Guatemala.

The UN is also involved in other issues:

1. The protection of refugees
2. The organization of aid in areas of natural disaster
3. The war against terrorism
4. Disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation
5. The promotion of democracy, human rights, and gender equality

International Meetings

International world powers organize meetings to discuss world problems and economic issues outside the UN.

The G8

The G8 consists of the USA, Canada, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia. The heads of these governments meet every year at a summit to discuss the issues that concern them, as well as global issues.

The G20

The G20 has a similar principle but adds to the G8 the European Union and 11 countries of more recent economic development.