The Sunni-Shia Divide/ Rise of Isis Flashcards
What is the implications of the Sunni-Shia divide for Middle Eastern geography?
The divide threatens the transformation of the map of the Middle East, fracturing Iraq and creating fissures in Gulf countries.
Concerns of the Islamic divide
will lead to escalating violence and a growing threat to international peace and security; Western security
powers that rule both side of the divide
Saudi Arabia; Sunni, Iran; Shia
How did Sunni and Shia come to be?
After the death of the prophet Mohammad, his followers had an argument over who would succeed him and conflict arose between two suggestions.
Sunnis
Opposed to political successions based on Mohammed’s bloodline
Shia
that Alis and his descendants should succeed Mohammed
How has the Sunni extremists gained support?
Social media has revolutionized recruitment opportunities. Wait for potential recruits to contact them; count on state support from the Iranian, Iraqi, and Syrian governments to recruit militants for sectarian jihad and private funding networks in the Gulf
Humanitarian crisis
Jordan and Iraq are struggling to provide housing and services to an impoverished and traumatized population. Turkey has also provided aid but must balance public sympathy and unease.
Fractured states
These Islamic countries are on the verge of tearing apart due to being controlled by various rebel and Islamist groups
What is Isis and when was it created?
Isis was once Al-Qaeda in Iraq created by Bin Laden in the 1990s, turning it into a global network to continue struggle against Islam’s enemies
September 11, 2001
9-11 Al-Qaeda attack America
2004
jihadists attack Syria sparking Sunni Shia civil war
Arab spring
was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that spread across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s.
ISIS
Islamic state of Iraq and Syria
Who created the Jihadists
Zarqawi which become the most notorious power. 2006 US killed him in an air strike.
