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
1
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.
