| Date | November 2016 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 16N.1s2a.BP.TZ0.1 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 (The Arab–Israeli conflict 1945–79) - last exams 2016 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | What | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Source A
Alan Dowty, a professor of Middle Eastern studies, writing in an academic book, Israel/Palestine (2012).
Important changes were taking place in international politics [during the 1950s and 1960s]: the rise of the Third World, as Asian and African states threw off colonial rule and formed a bloc of “non-aligned” states tied to neither side in the Cold War … In the intensifying Cold War competition between East and West, the fight against imperialism and colonialism gave the Soviets tremendous leverage in the “battle for hearts and minds” throughout the Third World. By supporting “struggles for national liberation”, the Soviets could leapfrog over [bypass] encircling Western alliances and strike directly at Western influence in key areas. The Middle East, with its strategic location and its oil reserves, was a priority target. In September 1955 the Soviet Union entered the Middle East arena [political scene] dramatically with the announcement of a major arms deal between Nasser’s Egypt and Czechoslovakia (the Czechs being a front [acting on behalf] of the Soviets). This broke the Western monopoly over arms supplies to the region, threatening to upset the military balance and put Israel in jeopardy [danger].
Source B
Michael Cummings, a newspaper cartoonist, depicts the situation in the Middle East in a cartoon published in the British newspaper The Daily Express (24 April 1963). Nasser is commenting on the impact of the Cold War on the Arab states of Syria and Iraq. Kennedy and Khrushchev are offering gifts to Nasser.
Note: “bulwark” means “barrier”.
[Source: Cummings/Express Newspapers/N&S Syndication]
What, according to Source A, were the Soviet Union’s motives for getting involved in Middle Eastern affairs?
What is the message conveyed by Source B?
Markscheme
- The Soviet Union sought to gain an advantage in the Cold War by striking at Western influence in the region and thus winning the support of Third World states.
- The Soviet Union wanted to break the Western monopoly in the supply of arms to the Middle East.
- The Soviet Union recognized the Middle East’s strategic position.
- The Soviet Union was interested in the Middle East’s oil reserves.
Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [3].
[3 marks]
- Nasser is benefiting from the Cold War and/or Nasser is rejoicing at the Cold War.
- Nasser is co-operating closely with Syria and Iraq and/or Nasser was pivotal in the Arab world.
- Both the US and Russia are rushing to provide support for Nasser in order to counter communism and capitalism respectively.
- The Middle East is a focal point of US/USSR rivalry.
Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [2].
[2 marks]
