CHSS - ME

Question 1

Freedom

Answer 1

Most of MENA are not free - no freedom of speech

Question 2

Age

Answer 2

Majority of MENA countries’ populations are <30

Many not educated or employed - dynamic challenges

Question 3

US foreign policy to MENA

Answer 3

Past 20-30 yrs — high military intervention (Gulf War, Iraq - 2003)
Becoming less inclined to be involved - less dependence on oil so US don’t need as much
Lead to vacuum - Russia and China
US incoherence - White House, Pentagon, State say different things

Question 4

Saudi Arabia vs Iran

Answer 4

Both autocratic states with young, challenging populations - compete for influence
Only use religious ideology (sectarianism ) to control conflict
Can’t see resolution due to unilateral US + Russia vs China

Question 5

Corruption

Answer 5

No corruption - systems designed to filter money — difficult to reform
Have to be part of state to gain - don’t want reform, want larger share
Pact amongst elite actors (for decades) to build + sustain constitutions - not enough focus on social wellbeing though