Arab Crisis - Collapse of the Soviet Union

1. Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)

Founded 1964; Palestinian nationalist organization seeking Palestinian self-rule and representation, led by Yasser Arafat (1969–2004).

2. Six-Day War

• June 5–10, 1967; war in which Israel defeated Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights

3. Resolution 242

• 1967; UN resolution passed after the Six-Day War calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and recognition of all states' right to exist peacefully.

4. Yom Kippur War

October 6–25, 1973; surprise attack by Egypt and Syria against Israel to regain territory lost in 1967.

5. Camp David Accords

• 1978–1979; peace agreement between Egypt and Israel brokered by Jimmy Carter, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

6. Balfour Declaration

• 1978–1979; peace agreement between Egypt and Israel brokered by Jimmy Carter, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

7. Prague Spring (1968)

• 1978–1979; peace agreement between Egypt and Israel brokered by Jimmy Carter, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

8. Ronald Reagan

• 1981–1989; U.S. president who increased military spending and pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

9. Glasnost

• 1985–1991; Gorbachev's policy of openness that increased freedom of speech, press, and government transparency.

10. Perestroika

• 1985–1991; Gorbachev's policy of economic restructuring designed to modernize the Soviet economy

11. Mihail Gorbachev

1985–1991; last Soviet leader who introduced Glasnost and Perestroika and oversaw the end of the Cold War and collapse of the USSR in 1991