Iraq

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Geography
Iraq is located in the Middle East, specifically between Iran and Kuwait and borders the Persian Gulf. The climate is hot in the summers and mild to cold in the winters. In mountainous areas, snow does occur and when it melts, it can cause serious flooding. The land is very rich with petroleum, natural gases, phosphates, and sulfur. (CIA)

Economy
An improved security environment and an initial wave of foreign investment are helping to spur economic activity. The purchasing power parity in Iraq is 113.4 billion dollars; compared to the world they are 66. The real growth rate is average and is 0.8%. The real growth rate compared to the world is 176. (CIA)



History
Since 2003, Iraq has become a battlefield due to US hunting down Saddam Hussein. The Shei-led government struggled to instill order on Iraq until US stepped in. There are many disputes over this oil-rich country which causes a lot of violence. By 2009, the US turned the government back over to Iraqi forces in hopes they can maintain and keep control. (BBC)

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Violation of Human Rights


One of the biggest problems in Iraq is human trafficking. Women and children and trafficked in and around Iraq and are forced into sexual exploitation. Adding on to this problem, the government does not step in and punish traffickers. Also, they don’t enact their anti-trafficking legislation. (CIA)


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Poverty
The chart below represents how much money Iraq and other vulnerable Iraquis need in certain categories just to provide every human with basic care. (UNICEF)
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Egypt
  • Borders the Mediterranean Sea and is between Libya and Gaza Strip
  • Real growth rate: 5.1%
  • Economy is centralized around Nile Valley
  • Economy is also the second largest in the Arab world next to Saudi Arabia
  • President Mubarak stepped down from Power
  • Military currently in charge
  • Issues: drug transiting (BBC)(CIA)


Jordan
  • Northwest of Saudi Arabia and is between Iraq and Israel
  • Real growth rate: 3.1%
  • Smallest economy in the Middle East
  • Relies on foreign assistance
  • Crossroads for many religions
  • One of the safest areas in the Middle East (BBC)(CIA)

Syria
  • Borders the Mediterranean Sea and is between Lebanon and Turkey
  • Real growth rate: 3.2%
  • The economy is currently going through a reform
  • Issues: human trafficking and drug transiting
  • Oil prices affected the economy and Syria’s export partners (BBC)(CIA)


Lebanon
  • Borders the Mediterranean Sea and is between Israel and Syria
  • Real growth rate: 7.5%
  • Free market economy
  • Laissez-faire commercial tradition (government does minimum)
  • Complex and divided
  • Issues: human trafficking and drug transiting(BBC)(CIA)



Quote
The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay says: “ Urgent action is needed to protect the civilians.”






Works Cited

BBC. "Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria Profile." BBC News. N.P, 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ world-middle-east-14542954>.

CIA. "Middle East: Iraq." The World Factbook. N.P., 15 Apr. 2011. Web. 9 Nov. 2011. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ iz.html>.

Save the Children. "Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt." Save the Children. N.P, Oct. 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.savethechildren.org/site/ c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6153129/k.C257/Iraq.htm>.

UNICEF. "Middle East and North Africa." UNICEF. N.P., 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.unicef.org/hac2011/hac_iraq.php>.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=sex+trafficking+in+iraq&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1267&bih=642&tbm=isch&tbnid=TsszABLI0za9NM:&imgrefurl=http://www.thepetitionsite.com/11/stop-human-trafficking-now/&docid=wq8bnM0QYsJ34M&imgurl=http://www.georgiafamily.com/admin/images/ProtectingChildrenfromSexTrafficking.jpg&w=349&h=527&ei=PL7YTvuGFInw0gG90ITuDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=694&vpy=238&dur=164&hovh=276&hovw=183&tx=120&ty=164&sig=107056356221223156774&page=2&tbnh=132&tbnw=111&start=19&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:19