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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?

[3]
a.

What is the message conveyed by Source B?

[2]
b.

Markscheme

Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [3].

[3 marks]

a.

Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [2].

[2 marks]

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Last exams 2016 » Prescribed subjects: last exams 2016 » Prescribed subject 2: The Arab–Israeli conflict 1945‑79 » Suez Crisis of 1956: role of Britain, France, the United States, the USSR, Israel and the UNO
Last exams 2016 » Prescribed subjects: last exams 2016 » Prescribed subject 2: The Arab–Israeli conflict 1945‑79 » Role of the United States, USSR and UNO
Last exams 2016 » Prescribed subjects: last exams 2016 » Prescribed subject 2: The Arab–Israeli conflict 1945‑79
Last exams 2016 » Prescribed subjects: last exams 2016

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