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Final Flashcards

1
Q

ISIS

A

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

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2
Q

Intra-GCC disputes

A

In response to Qatar’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood and their closer ties with Iran Saudi Arabia cut off all ties with Qatar in June until they fulfilled 13 demands leveled in July including the closing of al-Jezeera, cutting ties with Iran and ending funding for “Terrorists” that would have essentially ended Qatari sovereignty. Qatar refused and the relationship is essentially as bad as possible this side of war. The conflict has put the US in a delicate position with the President supporting Saudi while at the same time relying on Qatar for the housing and support of al-Udaid air base.

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3
Q

The Saudi-Iranian Cold War and its regional implications

A

Proxy wars in Yemen, Tunis, Syria

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4
Q

The rise of ISIS

A

The destabilization of Iraq and the rise of an unstable Shia dominated government

The Arab Spring led to ungoverned space in Syria in which ISIS could develop

Al-malaki alienated Sunni’s

Many Sunni Baathists backed ISIS bring military acumen to the group

ISIS used violence very effectively and tactically

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5
Q

Alawites

A

Syrian sect of twelvers that are highly secretive. They retained their support for Assad and have paid a heavy price for it.

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6
Q

Axis of Resistance

A

Syria, Iran, Hizbollah, Hamas

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7
Q

Baath Party

A

Founded by a Christian, Michel Aflaq. It was the ruling party in both Syria and Iraq though the two branches hated each other. (Saddam, Assad)

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8
Q

borders as filters: thick and thin borders

A

Unstable or weak governments are unable to maintain strong border control thus allowing for porous borders. For example the border between Iraq and Syria is a thin border with uninterrupted flow between them. The border between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is a thick border with heavy enforcement and patrolling.

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9
Q

Deraa

A

important city where some kids wrote some anti-government graffiti and were promptly arrested, tortured and killed

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10
Q

drought

A

Arab uprising was accompanied by drought that has turned much of agrarian land into desert leading to uprisings in agricultural areas in Syria

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11
Q

the Free Syrian Army

A

Supposedly “moderate” rebels that the US attempted to back in the Syrian civil war before finding out that they don’t actually exists as any kind of unified movement

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12
Q

the GCC

A

The GCC was formed in 1981 as a response to growing insecurity within the smaller Gulf Kingdoms caused by the Iranian Revolution. While the Kingdoms had long been resistant to Saudi influence preferring British and American protection they set aside their fears of Saudi Dominance and join with them in joint economic and security measures.

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13
Q

Hezbollah

A

Lebanese political party and militia. Backed by Iran they formed in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. They have been one of the primary military groups backing Assad in Syria

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14
Q

Huthis

A

Yazidi and shia but not twelvers. They are separatist group that has been at the forefront of the Yemen civil war and war with Saudi. They are responsible for the death of Saleh.

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15
Q

internally displaced people (IDPs)

A

There are over 7 million displaced people in Syria who, do to the civil war, are largely unreachable by foreign aid.

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16
Q

Kirkuk

A

a city that is not in one of the Kurdish areas but kurds want it to be their capitol

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17
Q

Mosul

A

ISIS capitol in Iraq. The taking of Mosul marked the peak of their success

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18
Q

the Muslim Brotherhood

A

A Sunni Arabic political and social organization that seeks to instal Sharia law not through coercion but social revolution. They are hated by Saudi Arabia

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19
Q

North Dome/South Pars field

A

an offshore natural gas field between Iran and Qatar that is the largest in the world. The field has driven Qatar to strengthen its ties with Iran which in turn has driven its devision with Saudi Arabia

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20
Q

Peshmerga

A

Kurdish fighting forces

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21
Q

popular mobilization forces

A

a federation of mostly Shia militias created in Iraq to fight ISIS by a fatwah issued by al-Sistani that integrated the militias in the Iraqi military command

22
Q

Raqqa

A

ISIS capitol in Syria. The retaking of Raqqa marked the final defeat of ISIS in 2017

23
Q

southern secessionists

A

Political movement and militia in Yemen that supports the breaking away of south Yemen from the Republic of Yemen. They largely support president in exile Hadi.

24
Q

Shabihah

A

Alawite mercenary militia that supports Assad in Syria. They are known for their brutality and thuggishness.

25
Tartus Baase
Russian Naval base in Syria that is thought to be the primary reason Russia entered the Syrian Civil war on the side of Assad since the base is one of Russia's only war water ports
26
the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
UN organization tasked with the voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.
27
Zaatari Camp
Largest refugee camp in the Middle East. It is located in Jordan and has been assisted by UNHCR. The camp is beginning to transition into a permanent settlement.
28
zero problems with the neighbors
Turkish policy that stated that Turkey was an inherently neutral force in the region. This ended with the Arab spring and the Civil war in Syria
29
Bashar al-Assad
Current dictator of Syria came to power after his father. He was able to maintain military support and thus stay in power. He has lost most of his control and the war to keep him in power is being run by Iran and Russia
30
Hafez al-Assad
Bashar's father and the founder of the Assad political dynasty in Syria
31
Muhammad ibn Salman (MBS)
The current crown prince of Saudi Arabia. He came to power under shady circumstances deposing Muhammaad bin Nayef as Crown Prince and is the current defacto ruler of SA
32
Muqtada al-Sadr
heir to a clerical dynasty that is influential with the poor in the Shia population. He heads a political party and led an anti-US militia during the Iraq war. He has recently and unexpectedly appeared in Saudi Arabia.
33
Saad Hariri
The current prime minister of Lebanon who was involved in a bizarre standoff with Saudi Arabia when he announced from Saudi TV that he was resigning as PM but could not be seen or heard from. He was later released and returned to Lebanon where he rescinded his resignation
34
Salman (King)
King Salman came to the throne in 2015. He was at the center of the succession dispute and is expected to abdicate in favor of MBS due to his alzheimer's
35
drone strikes
As the US has shifted from more drone warfare and less physical presence in the region drone strikes have been responsible for an increasing number of mistakes that have resulted in increased civilian casualties that have turned some regional players against the US
36
the Iraqi insurgency
An uprising of militias and para-military groups that came into being after the US invasion of Iraq. The insurgency bogged down US forces and created massive instability and thousands of casualties resulting in the Iraqi Civil war in 2006. The instability became yet another opportunity for regional players such as Iran to extend their influence by backing different groups.
37
the Iraqi civil war
Civil war from 2006 to 2008 that was largely fought along "secretarian" lines. The conflict created millions of refugees and is considered the peak of the insurgency..
38
the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI)
ISIS came into Iraq from Syria and took advantage of Sunni hatred of the Malaki government in northern Iraq. They established their Iraqi capitol in Mosul. ISIS was driven out of Iraq by coalition forces including Kurdish Peshmurga, Iraq government and popular mobilization forces earlier this year.
39
Jabhat al-Nusra
Syrian branch of al-Quaeda that has been fighting Assad and seeks to control territory and establish and Islamic Emirate but is not associated with ISIS
40
al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Prior to 9/11 al-Qaeda was present in Saudi Arabia but was ejected post facto. It's presence in the Arabian peninsula then moved to Yemen and became the justification for Saudi Arabia's invasion of Yemen in 2015
41
the Riyadh Ritz Carleton
The Ritz became the opulent prison of members of the royal family who were convicted of "corruption" by a probe initiated by MBS in the Saudi Purge. They were held their until they agreed to pay massive fines often worth billions of dollars to the state. The purge is widely seen as a power play by MBS to consolidate power within the royal family
42
US policy in Yemen
The US has backed Saudi and given them military training and aid despite Saudi involvement in rampant war crimes.
43
Yemen's humanitarian crisis
The war in Yemen has created widespread displacement of people and with little access to humanitarian care there is little hope for relief. The war has pushed the nation to the edge of famine since the nation imports most of its food and the war has largely stopped these imports.
44
Zaydis
A sect of Shia Islam concentrated in Yemen not dissimilar from Sunni beliefs. They do not believe in the 12th imam or that imams are infallible.
45
Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi
The internationally recognized president of Yemen. He ousted Saleh in 2012 but was forced from power by Houthis and took refuge in Saudi Arabia
46
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
The leader or caliph of ISIS who may or may not be dead
47
Ali Abdallah Saleh
Former dictator of Yemen who was the fourth dictator to fall to the Arab Spring. His removal led to civil was and eventually an invasion by Saudi Arabia that continues to this day. In the last few weeks Saleh was killed by his former Houthi allies after he made it known he wanted to negotiate with Saudi to end the war
48
Hadar al-Abadi
Prime Minister of Iraq since 2014
49
Nuri al-Maliki
Incompetent Shia Prime minister of Iraq who renege on an agreement to include Sunni’s in his government. This alienation of Sunni's led to a fertile soil for ISIS recruitment
50
Qasem Soleimani
Iranian general who led Iran's strategy of probing of the Syrian government as well as fighting ISIS
51
Waleed bin Talal
A prince in the Saudi royal family and was one of the richest men in the world known for his philanthropy and progressive political views. He was arrested in 2017 in a "corruption" probe and released after paying heavy fines worth billions of dollars
52
The fall of ISIS
Popular utilization movements rose up as militias The US backs the Kurds and the Peshmurga ISIS loses Mosul in 2017 Raqqa fell recently

Middle East (3 decks)

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