What follows is a short history lesson about the peoples and countries of the mid-east. The present conflict did not start in August of 1990 but rather began about 4000 years ago. In addition to territory claims by the different people in the area this conflict also is spiritual. Three major religious systems are clashing, they are Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The mid-east is the center of Islam, or Moslem people, the western people come from a Christian heritage, and of course Israel is a predominately Jewish nation. These differences have lead to mistrust and actual hatred between people in the past that continues to some extent today. During the last 4000 years many different people and nations have called the same lands home. Many of the present boundaries were not drawn up until after World War I, and in some cases after World War II. Some of the problems that now exist are because outside powers imposed borders and created countries without fully understanding the area. This is not just limited to this immediate area, but also includes for instance West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). We tend to think that we can group people together just because they are the same color or religion. The people of the mid-east are just as diverse as we are. We have problems getting along with each other as well. I do not claim to be an expert in this area, but thought that I could share some information from a different perspective than seen on the evening news. The goal of this article is to help us understand the situation in an historical context and help us to pray effectively. I am a Christian. I believe that we need God's wisdom and patience to bring lasting peace to the area. I am not making a judgment on our need to be there, or the actions we need to take. A Middle Eastern Time Line Note: Early dates are approximate The flood occurs, Noah's Ark runs aground in what is now Turkey. Gen 9:22-27 Ham cursed for shaming his father Noah. Ham's descendants are the Canaanites who later intermarry w Ishmeal's descendants to become the Arab peoples. Genesis 10:10 Nimrod, Noah's son, founds Babylon. >2700 BC The tower of Babel built in what is now Iraq. Ruin is between the present cities of Baghdad and Bazra. 2150 BC Abraham born Abraham leaves Ur which is south east of Babylon by about 150 mi. to go to Caanan 2080 BC Abraham enters Canaan Abraham is promised the land of Canaan by God as his inheritance in Gen 12:7. Famine forces Abraham to flee to Egypt. Has run in with Pharaoh over wife. Diseases sent by the Lord. Gen 12:10-20 Area City states in constant state of war. Alliances change every few years. Abraham rescues his relative, Lot, from the fighting. Abraham in a bid to take matters into his own hands has son Ishmael by Egyptian maidservant Hagar. Sarai Abraham's wife mistreates both. Ishmael receives blessing from God that his descendants will be to numerous to count. Descendants are the Arabs. 1880 BC Jacobs family enters Egypt because of famine. In the beginning Jacob's family enjoys the best of the land because of God's blessing of Egypt through Jacob. In time later rulers forget this. 1450 BC The Exodus of Israel from Israel moves out of Egypt to Egypt. posses their promised land. This of course was not good news to the people living there at the time. Israel almost immediately attacked by the Amalekites who are defeated with God's help. 1400 BC The conquest of Canaan by Israel begins. 980 BC Solomon begins his reign, Under Solomon the nation grows After several years he in size, power, and wealth. starts the temple building Territory extended to tip of gulf of Agaba, north to beyond Damascus. The area governed is now Israel and Jordan, and part of Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. 900 BC Damascus rises to power 825 BC Hazael of Syria oppresses Israel. 730 BC The fall of Damascus 625 BC The rise of Babylon 600 BC Assyria collapses 580 BC Kingdom of Judah falls to Nebuchadnezzar 540 BC Babylon falls to Cyrus Egypt falls under control of Persians. Independent nation of Israel ceases to exist. 485 BC The Persians are defeated by the Greeks. Nehemmiah allowed to rebuild Jerusalem. 325 BC Alexander the Great de- feats Darius III. 50 BC The Romans take Palestine Roman rule of area during this time enabled new ideas, and 0 Christ is born trade to flourish. Had much to do with enabling rapid spread of Christianity. 33 AD Christ crucified 500s Roman empire in decline 570 Mohammed is born in Mecca Islam which means "submission to Allah" is based on the revelations of Mohammed. He did not read or write, his ideas were recorded by his followers who had committed them to memory. 600s Arabs overrun area Baghdad is made the capital in 762. 1258 Mongols devastate country 1401 Mongols again conquer area 1534 Ottoman Turks capture Ottoman Turks capture Egypt Baghdad, stayed under Turkish control till WW I. Kuwait founded by Arab nomads 1798 Napoleon invades Egypt British protect Kuwait from a holy war from another Muslim sect. 1869 Suez canal completed by French Later purchased by British Egypt revolts, Britain sends 1897 Kuwait becomes a British forces to protect interests and protectorate remains in control till 1922 1918 Britain and the sharif of Country of Trans-Jordan formed Mecca gain control and Iraq by Britain from Biblical lands is formed as a country of Ammon, Bashan, Edom, and Moab. 1919 Saudi Arabia invades Kuwait British repel Saudis, who blockade country for 20 yrs. 1920 League of Nations made Iraq Islam first brought to US. a territory under British administration 1932 League of Nations mandate ends, Iraq gains independence Jordan receives independence. 1947 UN creates two nations from First Arab Israeli war. Palestine, one Jewish, and one Arabic. On the same day that British withdraw Arab countries attack. 1952 Iraq renews ancient claim to Kuwait. Rejected by British. 1955 Pro western Iraqi president Nuri es-Said joins Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Britain Second Arab-Israeli war in opposition of Egypt in "Baghdad Pact". 1958 Gen. Kassem overthrows govt. Later withdraws Iraq from pact. 1961 Kuwait becomes independent 1963 Military coup overthrows Kassem. Arab Baath Party gains control. Abdul Salem Arif as president. 1966 Abdul Salem Arif dies in Helicopter crash, succeeded Third Arab-Israeli war by his brother. 1968 Bloodless coup installes former premier Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr as president. 1969 Kuwait and Saudi Arabia agree on a boundary in the disputed area from 1919. 1973 Iraq joins war against Forth Arab-Israeli war Israel 1973 Iraq invades Kuwait, withdraws after Saudi Arabia sends 15000 Troops to aid Kuwait. 1975 Iran agrees to stop providing arms to rebelling Kurdish minority in Iraq. 1976 Iraq and Syria at odds over Syria's intervention in Lebanon. 1977 UN states that Iraq is sys- tematically destroying Kurdish minority. 1978 Iraq plans to spend $36 mil to restore ancient city of Babylon, about 55 mi south of Baghdad. 1979 Gen Saddam Hussein becomes president, Bakr resigns due to illness. 1980 Iraq and Iran begin open war Israel moves capitol to after skermishing for 10 Jerusalem which is supposed to months. Iraq has early be a shared city. Success. Israel bombs Iraqi reactor 1982 Iraq has been pushed back to pre-war boundary. 1984 War expands into gulf area Shipping threatened. 1987 USS Stark hit by missile from Iraqi plane. 37 sailors die, Iraq apologises for mistaken. launch of missile. 1988 Iran and Iraq begin cease fire. 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait in dis- An oil field extends across pute over oil field and the Kuwait-Iraq border with shipping access to gulf. both countries pumping from it. Iraq has been demanding that Kuwait decrease production to help increase oil price. 1991 UN forces attack Iraq 17 hours after UN deadline for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait expires. Compiled by Herb Guenther from NIV Holy Bible, 1980 Reader's Digest Almanac, The World Almanac and Book of Facts - 1988, and other sources.