• India & Pakistan – Both claim Jammu and Kashmir.

• Kashmiri Separatists – Want independence or to join Pakistan.

• Indian Military – Enforces control.

• Pakistan – Accused of backing militants.

What?

• A conflict over who controls Kashmir, going on since 1947.

• Involves wars, protests, and political moves.

• 2019: India removed Article 370, ending Kashmir’s special status, leading to unrest.

When?

• 1947 – India-Pakistan split; Kashmir joins India.

• 1947-1949 – First war, ceasefire, Kashmir divided.

• 1965 & 1999 – More wars over Kashmir.

• 2016 – Killing of separatist leader sparks protests.

• 2019 – India revokes Article 370.

Why (there)?

• Strategic location in the Himalayas.

• Religious mix – Majority Muslim, but its Hindu ruler joined India.

• Long-term tensions over military rule and human rights.

How?

• Wars & violence – India-Pakistan battles, local insurgencies.

• Laws & politics – India changing Kashmir’s status.

• Media blackouts & lockdowns – To control protests.

• Global talks – UN & other countries trying (but failing) to help.
  

Timeline

• 1947 – Partition, Kashmir joins India.

• 1949 – Ceasefire line (LoC) set.

• 1965 & 1999 – Wars over Kashmir.

• 2016 – Protests after a separatist is killed.

• 2019 – Article 370 removed, military crackdown.

Why is Kashmir worth fighting for?

• Economic – Rich in resources, tourism, trade routes.

• Political – India sees it as part of its land; Pakistan disagrees.

• Social – Religious tensions between Hindus, Muslims, and separatists.

• Demographic – Military presence affects local life, people forced to move.

How does sovereignty affect the conflict?

• Both India & Pakistan claim Kashmir as theirs.

• The UN suggested a vote, but it never happened.

• India’s removal of Article 370 was seen as a power move.

• China’s role in Ladakh makes things even messier.

Unit 2: Migration

• Kashmiri Pandits fled in the 1990s due to violence.

• Ongoing conflict forces many to leave for safety.

Unit 4: Political Geography

• Kashmir is a contested border zone.

• The LoC is a major disputed boundary with military conflicts.

My Questions

1. How has removing Article 370 affected everyday life in Kashmir?

2. What role does China play in the conflict?

3. How does Kashmir compare to other border conflicts?

   
   

   https://www.bbc.com/news/10537286

• Israel – Controls most of the land, claims Jerusalem as its capital.

• Palestinians – Seek an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza.

• Hamas – Armed group governing Gaza, opposes Israel.

• Israeli Military – Enforces control, conducts operations in Palestinian territories.

• United Nations & Other Countries – Try (but mostly fail) to mediate.

What?

• A conflict over land and sovereignty between Israelis and Palestinians.

• Involves wars, protests, and political moves.

• 1948: Israel was created, leading to displacement of Palestinians (Nakba).

• 1967: Israel occupied Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

• Ongoing clashes, military operations, and peace attempts.

When?

• 1948 – Israel’s creation, first Arab-Israeli war, many Palestinians displaced.

• 1967 – Six-Day War, Israel occupies West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

• 1993 – Oslo Accords attempt peace, but fail.

• 2005 – Israel withdraws from Gaza; Hamas takes control in 2007.

• 2023-Present – Major conflict escalations, war in Gaza.

Why (there)?

• Religious significance – Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

• Historical claims – Both groups see the land as historically theirs.

• Security concerns – Israel fears attacks; Palestinians want freedom.

• Geopolitical tensions – Surrounding Arab countries and global powers involved.

How?

• Wars & violence – Israeli military vs. Palestinian militants.

• Laws & policies – Israeli settlements expanding in the West Bank.

• Blockades & restrictions – Gaza is heavily controlled by Israel and Egypt.

• Global mediation – UN, U.S., and others try peace talks.

Timeline

• 1948 – Israel founded, war begins, many Palestinians flee.

• 1967 – Six-Day War, Israel occupies Palestinian territories.

• 1993 – Oslo Accords attempt peace.

• 2005 – Israel withdraws from Gaza.

• 2023-Present – War in Gaza, increasing violence.

Why is this conflict worth fighting for?

• Economic – Land, resources, and control over Jerusalem.

• Political – Israel wants security; Palestinians want a state.

• Social – Religious and ethnic tensions fuel division.

• Demographic – Displacement, settlements, and refugee crises.

How does sovereignty affect the conflict?

• Israel claims full control – But Palestinians want independence.

• UN proposed a two-state solution – But it hasn’t worked.

• Israeli settlements – Expand control in the West Bank, complicating peace.

• U.S. and global powers – Influence Israel’s policies and peace efforts.

Human Geography Connections

Unit 2: Migration

• Many Palestinians are refugees due to wars and displacement.

• Israeli settlements cause forced relocations in the West Bank.

Unit 4: Political Geography

• Israel-Palestine is a major contested territory.

• Borders are heavily disputed, with ongoing violence.

My Questions

• How do Israeli settlements affect Palestinian daily life?

• What role do international powers play in the conflict?

• How does this compare to other territorial disputes

  
  

  https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/6/4/the-naksa-how-israel-occupied-the-whole-of-palestine-in-1967

The Troubles (Northern Ireland, 1960s-1998)

Who? IRA (wanted a united Ireland) vs. Ulster Loyalists (wanted to stay in the UK).

What? A nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland, often seen as Catholic vs. Protestant but really about sovereignty.

When? 1960s–1998, ended with the Good Friday Agreement (1998).

Why? British colonization divided Ireland. Ireland gained independence (1920s), but Northern Ireland stayed in the UK, causing tensions.

How? Bombings, roadblocks, sniper attacks, and Molotov cocktails by the IRA, Loyalists, and British Army.

Timeline

• 1966: Loyalists declared war on the IRA.

• 1969: British troops deployed, backing UVF.

• 1971: Mass internment of IRA and Catholic civilians.

• 1972 (Bloody Friday): IRA exploded 22 bombs in 75 minutes, killing 9.

• 1981: IRA hunger strike.

• 1998: Good Friday Agreement ended most violence.

ESPN+D Factors

Economic: British exploitation, worsened by Brexit trade issues.

Social: Protestants vs. Catholics, with Catholics often targeted.

Political: A fight over sovereignty—united Ireland vs. British rule.

Environmental: Bombings harmed infrastructure and land.

Demographic: Catholics migrated to the Republic of Ireland.

Sovereignty

The conflict was about who should govern Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement let the people decide.

Map

A choropleth map shows religious divides—Protestant (orange) vs. Catholic (teal), highlighting IRA support near Ireland.

Human Geography

• Colonialism & Development (Unit 2) – British control shaped Ireland.

• Migration (Unit 4) – The Irish Potato Famine led to mass emigration.

• Culture (Unit 5) – Religion was used to divide and control.

Further Questions

• How has Brexit affected Ireland-Northern Ireland relations?

• Why do some Northern Irish still want to stay in the UK?

• How did Britain handle The Troubles vs. other decolonization conflicts?

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-troubles

Who? South Korea and Japan, both asserting sovereignty over the islets known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan.

What? A territorial dispute over small islets in the Sea of Japan, central to national pride and historical grievances for both countries.

When? The dispute dates back over 300 years, with significant tensions escalating in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Why? The conflict stems from historical claims, colonial legacies, and national identity. For South Korea, Dokdo symbolizes independence from Japanese colonization, while Japan's claim is based on historical usage and territorial incorporation.

How? The dispute has involved diplomatic negotiations, international legal proceedings, and nationalistic movements. Both countries have presented historical documents and maps to support their claims, leading to ongoing tensions and occasional diplomatic incidents.

Timeline

• 17th Century: Japan formally grants its people the right of passage to Utsuryo Island, using Takeshima as a navigational port and anchorage.

• 1905: Japan officially incorporates Takeshima into Shimane Prefecture.

• 1945: End of World War II; the dispute over the islets continues.

• 1954: South Korea establishes a permanent coast guard presence on the islets.

• 1998: The Good Friday Agreement ends most violence in Northern Ireland, but the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute remains unresolved.

ESPN+D Factors

• Economic: The islets are near rich fishing grounds and potential underwater gas reserves, making them economically significant.

• Social: The dispute fuels nationalistic sentiments and affects public opinion in both countries.

• Political: The conflict is a matter of national sovereignty and identity for both nations.

• Environmental: The islets' ecosystems are impacted by human activities, including fishing and potential resource extraction.

• Demographic: The dispute influences migration patterns, with some individuals moving to areas with stronger nationalistic sentiments.

Sovereignty

The conflict centers on who has rightful sovereignty over the islets, with both South Korea and Japan presenting historical and legal arguments to support their claims.

Map

A map highlighting the location of the islets in the Sea of Japan, showing their proximity to both South Korea and Japan.

Human Geography

• Colonialism & Development: Japan's colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945 has left a lasting impact on bilateral relations and territorial disputes.

• Migration: The dispute influences migration patterns, with some individuals moving to areas with stronger nationalistic sentiments.

• Culture: The islets are a symbol of national identity and pride, deeply influencing cultural narratives and education in both countries.

Further Questions

• How have international legal bodies addressed the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute?

• What role does public opinion play in shaping the policies of South Korea and Japan regarding the islets?

• How do the historical narratives of both countries influence their current claims to the islets?

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-dispute-photos-dodko-rocks-islands?userab=ng_pw_copy-287*variant_b-1127

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19207086

• Iran: Controls the Strait of Hormuz; has threatened to block it.

• United States: Deployed military forces to ensure free passage.

• Gulf Countries: Rely on the strait for oil exports.

What?

• Strait of Hormuz: A vital waterway for global oil, with about 21% of the world's oil passing through it.

• Tensions: Iran's threats to close the strait have raised concerns about global oil supply disruptions.

When?

• April 2019: Iran threatened to close the strait after the U.S. ended sanctions waivers for Iranian oil importers.

• May 2019: Attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman heightened tensions.

• July 2019: Iran captured a British-flagged oil tanker; U.S. Navy destroyed an Iranian drone.

Why (there)?

• Strategic Importance: Controls a major oil transit route.

• Economic Impact: Blocking the strait would disrupt global oil markets.

How?

• Military Presence: U.S. deployed a carrier strike group to the region.

• Diplomatic Efforts: International calls for de-escalation and freedom of navigation.

Timeline

• April 2019: Iran threatens to close the strait.

• May 2019: Tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman.

• July 2019: Iran captures British tanker; U.S. destroys Iranian drone.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz worth fighting for?

• Economic: Critical for global oil supply.

• Political: Strategic leverage in regional power dynamics.

How does sovereignty affect the conflict?

• Iran's Control: Claims sovereignty over the strait.

• International Interests: Global powers aim to keep the strait open for free trade.

Human Geography Connections

• Unit 2: Migration: Potential displacement due to regional instability.

• Unit 4: Political Geography: Strait as a contested geopolitical area.

My Questions

• How would closing the Strait of Hormuz affect global oil prices?

• What are the potential consequences of a military conflict in the region?

• How can international diplomacy prevent escalation?

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/MIDEAST-ATTACKS-HORMUZ/0100B0B50N3/

https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/strait-hormuz-us-iran-maritime-flash-point?fbclid=IwAR3kRbJ8F7DPrj2enee9zsmUpxfhnJzE6CgRUkPBJpIL5F3difs4rPV3n38