Test 1 Flashcards
Sectarianism
Groups that fall along political or religious lines. There is sectarianism but no sects in the Middle East
The Iranian Revolution
The Iranian revolution occurred in 1978-9 as a result of the Shah’s unpopularity due to his opulent life, economic mismanagement and his attempts to secularize the culture that enraged and empowered the Islamist elements in the country. The revolution caused a wave of Shia unrest across the Middle East but specifically in Iraq and Bahrain. The revolution caused world oil prices to nearly double and motivated the Iran-Iraq war.
Islamists
An ideology that believes in the implementation of Islamic law or principles into political and governmental life.
The Iran-Iraq War
Occurred from 1980-1988. The war was started by Saddam Hussain who was responding to the Iranian revolution. He was concerned about the effects of rising Shia islamist sentiment in Iraq and wanted to take advantage of the purges taking place in the Iranian Military. At first Iraq was successful but they were later driven back by an Iranian counter offensive before regaining the initiative along with US diplomatic and naval intervention leading Iran to agree to a ceasefire in 1988..
The Gulf War
Began due to Saddam Hussain’s belief that Kuwait, the UAE, Israel, the US and Europe were conspiring against him to topple his regime by holding oil prices down and sabotaging his weapons development. In 1990 he invaded Kuwait and took total control of the country. The US responded by building a coalition and driving Sadat out with relative ease in 1991. The war sparked an uprising in Iraq called antifida which was violently quelled and led to the creation of UNSCOM to investigate Iraqi weapons development.
The Iraq War
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Transnational identities
Identities that do not partain to national borders such as nomadic pastoralist or religious identities. It allows national leaders to manipulate the affairs of neighbor by manipulating groups that cross national borders. They cause large amounts of instability in the region.
Control Room
Documentary about the role of Al-Jazeera during the Iraq war.
The 1973 oil boycott
Occurred as a result of US support for Israel in the Arab-Israeli war. After Saudi Arabia and Iran placed an embargo on Oil Imports to the US. The Crisis resulted in skyrocketing oil Prices and the US level threats of force to acquire oil. The crisis was eventually resolved diplomatically as the Arab-Israeli conflict was brought to an end and the US government sold arms to the Saudi’s and strengthened Iranian economic ties.
The Arab Uprising
Also known as the Arab Spring was a loose political movement or set of movements that started in Tunisia and spread throughout the Middle East. It led to the fall of not only the Tunisian regime but also that of Gaddafi in Libya and Mubarak in Egypt as well as other less successful revolutionary movements in the gulf states and the ongoing civil war in Syria.
The Bush Doctrine
We will not distinguish between terrorists and those who harbor them.
The Carter Doctrine
was a policy which stated that the United States would use military force if necessary to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf. The Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force was created for that purpose. This was in response to the Iranian revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Dishdashas
an ankle-length Arab garment, usually with long sleeves, similar to a robe, kaftan or tunic. It is commonly worn in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and neighbouring Arab countries.
Dual containment
Our policy of trying to contain both Iraq and Iran after the Iranian revolution
Expats
Non-native transplants to another country
The Gulf Cooperation Council
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.
Hijab
is a veil traditionally worn by some Muslim women in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the head and chest.
The hijrah
The migration or journey of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed by him to Medina, in the year 622. This migration is widely thought to be the time when Islam took on a distinct identity.
Ibadhis
A sect of Islam, predating Sunni and Shia, that developed and flourished in Oman.
al-Jazeera
Qatari news agency that came to prominence during the Iraq war by reporting civilian and US casualties against the wishes of the US government. They are banned in Saudi Arabia.
Khalijis
People who live in the Gulf.
Kharijites
Group of people who belonged to the ibadhi sect and killed Ali because he was involved in mediation. The seeds of radical Islam.
Kurds
An ethnic minority that spans Turkey Iraq and Iran. They got a raw deal from the British by not getting their own state and are our lead ally against IS.
Mujtahids
A person accepted as an original authority in Islamic law. Such authorities continue to be recognized in the Shia tradition, but Sunni Muslims accord this status only to the great lawmakers of early Islam
Niqab
A full body and face covering worn by some Muslim women.
The Nixon Doctrine
Rather than having direct involvement in the Middle East the US would rely on their regional partners.
Nomadic pastoralists/bedouin
Made up most of the Arab population in the gulf until the modern colonial era. They are still prevalent in some parts of the region.
The oil crisis (1973)
Occurred as a result of US support for Israel in the Arab-Israeli war. After Saudi Arabia and Iran placed an embargo on Oil Imports to the US. The Crisis resulted in skyrocketing oil Prices and the US level threats of force to acquire oil. The crisis was eventually resolved diplomatically as the Arab-Israeli conflict was brought to an end and the US government sold arms to the Saudi’s and strengthened Iranian economic ties.
OPEC
Was founded in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Venezuela as a forum for coordinating among themselves in dealing with oil companies. It is still significant in global politics and has played a major role of many events in the middle east and around the world such as the 1973 oil crisis and the Gulf Wars.
Over the horizon
Refers to the Gulf Monarchies resistance to having an actual US military presence in their countries. With the wave of Anti-US Islamist sentiment sweeping the region after the Iranian revolution they were afraid to be seen as too close with the US. They preferred their security to be guaranteed by a US “Just over the horizon” This Later broke down during the Gulf War when a direct US military presence was necessary to counter Iraq.
Pax Brittanica
The relative peace brought to the Gulf region and the world by the presence of Britain as a military hegemony.
The pearl industry
Played a vital part in Gulf state relations. It was the largest industry in gulf states before the discovery of oil. It was in order to stop piracy during pearl harvesting season that the Gulf States first reached out to Britain to maintain a temporary peace. This later evolved into the Trucial system where the UK handled the defense and most of the International affairs of the Gulf States until the mid 20th century.
Pearl Roundabout
Was a traffic roundabout that was the sight of anti-government protests in 2011 against the government of Bahrain. It gained symbolic importance to protester and was consequently demolished by the government.
Piracy
It was in order to stop piracy during pearl harvesting season that the Gulf States first reached out to Britain to maintain a temporary peace. This later evolved into the Trucial system where the UK handled the defense and most of the International affairs of the Gulf States until the mid 20th century.
The politics of protection
talked about the development of the British Trucial System in the Gulf states.
The Qawasim/Qasimi
One of the royal families of the UAE. They rule Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah
Quraish
a tribe that inhabited Mecca and the Kaaba. Muhammed was born into the Quaraish but they staunchly opposed him and drove him out of Mecca to Madina. Muhammed later defeated them in battle and they converted in mass to Islam. Descendants of the Quraish would lead the first three Caliphates.
Reflagging tankers
Refers to the US policy in 1987 of putting US Flags on Kuwaiti tankers and giving them US naval escorts. This was a reaction to Iranian air attack on gulf shipping and a similar offer to Kuwait from the USSR. The escorts resulted in the largest mobilization of the US navy since Vietnam.
SAVAK
The Shah’s secret police that was created with the help of the CIA. It was one of the most feared and loathed institutions in Iran and its unpopularity helped foster the Iranian revolution.
The tanker war
Was a strategy initiated by Iraq and co-opted by Iran of targeting the others shipping in the Persian Gulf. The Tanker War saw 62 successful attacks on both sides on oil tankers from 1984-85. They did not effect the world oil market but did increase insurance costs.
The Trucial States
currently the UAE
The Twin Pillar policy
The policy of relying on Iran and Saudi Arabia for security in the region. Both would be armed but Saudi Arabia would be viewed as the junior partner. The key to the policy was reliance on the Shah to be the “Regional Policeman” The two pillar policy dramatically collapsed during the Iranian Revolution.
The UAE
Formed from 6 of 7 small sheikdoms (crucial states) in 1971 in an attempt for collective security after the withdrawal of British forces. The 7th Sheikdom, Ra’s al-Khaymah, joined the emirates in 1972.
UNSCOM
created by UNSC 687. UN special commission on the Disarmament of Iraq. Was created after the Gulf War to restrict Saddam Hussain’s ability to create WMD’s. While he did this he Bizarrely tried to hide his compliance. Alternatively co-operating and stonewalling. The US viewed it as a means to weakening Saddam and hoping for a Coup.
vilayet e-faqih
A book by Ayatollah Khomeini that argues that government should be run in accordance with traditional Islamic law (sharia), and for this to happen a leading Islamic jurist must provide political “guardianship” over the people and nation. It laid the groundwork for the Iranian revolution and was incorporated into the Iranian Republics constitution.
Abd al-Aziz ibn al-Saud
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Hassan Rouhani
The current president of Iran
Muhammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah)
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Ruhallah Khomeini (Ayatollah)
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Saddam Hussain
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5 pillars of Islam
Shahada: Statement of faith Prayer
Prayer 5 times a day
Tithe
Ramadan
Hajj: Trip to Mecca
Arbaeen
Commemoration held 30 days after Ashura that commemorates the suffering of Hussein’s household after his death.
Ashura
Shia Festival Pilgrimage to Karbala to commemorate the massacre of Hussein and his followers
Ayatollahs
Chief religious leaders within Shia Islam
Grand Ayatollahs
“First among equals” within Shia Islamic leadership
Karbala
The sight of the battle in Iraq between Hussein and King Yazid and a major city in Shia practice
fatwas
Religious edict by scholars that often disagree
hadiths
The life of Muhammad
Hashemites
The ruling family of Jordan. They ruled the Hejaz and during WW1 they made a deal with the allies to lead an Arab revolt against the Ottomans in return for an independent Arab state after the world. The British lied but made the Hashemites the puppet rulers of Trans-Jordan and Iraq.
imams
Sunni prayer leaders and Shia infallible heirs of Muhammad
Najaf
The center of Shia learning and holds a shrine to Ali
the Mahdi
The 12th imam. It is a Shia belief that the last imam has gone into hiding and will return with Jesus to lead the Umma into the end times.
marja’iyya
Grand Ayatollahs
quietists
Clerics should advise but not rule
Ali al-Sistani
Current Grand Ayatollah. From Iran but lives in Iraq
