Stauffer Crossing the line GIS Activity

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Where is it?

             Somaliland is located in the horn of Africa, just off the Gulf of Aden. It is a unreconized country of 3.5 million that declared independence 1991 in the Somalian civil war.
             Yemen is just north of the Gulf of Aden and south of Oman and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain is an island just off the coast of Saudi Arabia, north of Qatar. Saudi Arabia is between Africa and the middle east. Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain may all merge to become the United Arabian Union.

Why are they there? Part 1

            Somaliland is there because that is the Area that it had claimed after they seperated from Somalia in 1991. Although it is not internationaly recognized. I believe that these borders may become a reality because conditions in Somalia are getting better and the African Union are looking for diplomatic solution.
            The United Arabian Union may become a reality. The thing that may unite Yemen, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is the common threat from Iran. All these countries are very worried of attack from Iran. Also they are all Sunni Muslim monarchies which could unite them more easily.

Why are they there? Part 2

            Somaliland split from Somalia along an Cultural boundary. Somaliland is much more peaceful than the rest of Somalia. Which is a real centripetal force for Somaliland and a real centrifugal force for Somalia.
            The new theoretical boundary for the United Arabian Union is also a Cultural boundary. All these countries has a Sunni Muslim majority, which is a really powerful centripetal force. Further they all fear the military of Iran, which is a real powerful centripetal force.

What difference will it make?

             Somaliland will impact the devolutionary movements in the horn of Africa, by giving Somalia a more peaceful neighbor and would attract many people from the remaining territory of Somalia.
             The United Arabian Union would affect the Area because Iran would feel threatened by these countries uniting against it. And other countries in the Area such as Oman may want to join the new state.