Lesson 3: Oil and Conflict in the Middle East
January 28, 2025
Review:
- Attendance
- Theories of Economic Disparity
- Diamond vs Ferguson
Presentation:
- Geography of the Middle East

- Historical Perspective:
- Oil and Conflict in the Middle East
- Oil Price Volatility
- Oil prices decline (long term) = destabilization of oil based economies
- Political instability (short term) = higher oil prices and increased volatility
- Oil Price History (FRED)
- Other factors
- Electric vehicles
- Alternative energy
- Oil Production (US, OPEC, Russia)
- Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- Iran vs Saudi Arabia
- our focus next time
Assignment:
- Practice Map Quiz: Middle East + Northern Africa
- Watch Shattered Dreams of Peace (PBS Frontline)