Unit 4: Geopolitical Hotspots

Question 1

What conflict did the Horn of Africa experience in the past?

Answer 1

• Eritrea desired independence from Italy
• Italy would come to occupy Ethiopia in 1936, but lose control after WW2
• Ethiopia tried to take over Eritrea in 1962, sparking a war between the two decades later in 1998

Question 2

How was the conflict in the Horn of Africa resolved?

Answer 2

• UN declared Eritrea and Ethiopia to be SEPARATE nations
• Ethiopia would have to accept the borders outlined
• Both nations share a similar amount of religious diversity (half Christian, half Muslim), so little religious conflict
• Ethiopia still desires control over Eritrea

Question 3

What are the details of the Roma Conflict?

Answer 3

• Roma are a nomadic ethnic group from India, living in Europe
• High school completion rate of 15%, unemployment 30%
• Survive by stealing, street performing, vending etc.
• Often suffer discrimination/racism for their way of life

Question 4

How has the Roma Conflict been attempted to be resolved?

Answer 4

• Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece and Russia contain the highest amount of Romas
• The “Decade of Roma Inclusion” began in 2005
• An initiative to improve socio-economic status and social inclusion of Romas, undertaken by 12 Euro countries

Question 5

What is the significance of the Kurds in Iran?

Answer 5

• Kurdish are an ethnic minority in Iran
• Al-Anfal campaign (Kurdish genocide) launched by S. Hussein in late 1980s
• Chemical weapons used against the Kurds by Iraqi troops
• Hussein carried out another genocide in 2003; 50-100K civilians killed

Question 6

What became of the Kurds during/after the conflict?

Answer 6

• Currently, 38 million Kurds remain
• Mostly live in Middle East, particularly Turkey (1.4 mil) and Iran (7 mil)
• The Kurdish people have developed an autonomous state that is not presently recognized by surrounding countries (i.e., Iran, Turkey)

Question 7

What is the conflict behind Nigeria’s oil situation?

Answer 7

• Nigeria feels as if they are being swindled and exploited out of their oil
• It is felt that the oil benefits other countries more than Nigeria itself
• Oil companies continue to make a profit despite safety concerns, regional conflict, and environmental disasters (oil spills, contamination)

Question 8

How has the conflict been attempted to be resolved?

Answer 8

• Recommended that communication be increased between farmers and the government regarding agriculture, imports, and prices
• introducing refinery products within Nigeria so the country has more access to its oil

Question 9

What is the conflict behind Tamils in Sri Lanka?

Answer 9

• Tamils were deprived of the right to vote, as well as citizenship
• Civil war broke out in 1983
• Desired an independent state in north-east Sri Lanka
• Liberation of Tamil Tigers Elam (LTTE) fought for this cause, but the war was declared over in 2009 after leader was deemed KIA
• Current president is a dictator; limits freedom of speech and tortures Tamil prisoners

Question 10

What is the conflict in Egypt?

Answer 10

• Revolution in 2011
• Sparked against the dictatorship, corruption, and poverty prevalent within the country
• 30 year rule of Egypt’s Prime Minister ended in 2011, but he refused to back down.