The US and the Middle East - Key Terms

Question 1

Foreign Policy

Answer 1

A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations

Question 2

Liberal International Order

Answer 2

A US led, rules-based system that encourages countries to be democratic, embrace free trade, protect human rights, and join global institutions.

Question 3

al-Qaeda

Answer 3

A militant Islamist group of Sunni jihadists founded by Osama bin Laden; responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States

Question 4

Global War on Terrorism

Answer 4

A multinational military campaign led by the United States after the September 11 attacks waged primarily against militant Islamist groups (often abbreviated as GWOT)

Question 5

Hegemony

Answer 5

Dominance, leadership, or control

Question 6

Hezbollah

Answer 6

A militant Shiite Muslim group based in Lebanon with close ties to Iran Hezbollah – a militant Shiite Muslim group based in Lebanon with close ties to Iran

Question 7

Saddam Hussein

Answer 7

The president of Iraq from 1979 until his capture during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003

Question 8

Islamic State

Answer 8

Jihadist movement also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or Daesh; conquered territory in Northern Iraq in 2014 – 2015; self-proclaimed worldwide Muslim caliphate; considered a terrorist organization by the United Nations

Question 9

Jihadist

Answer 9

A Muslim who struggles or strives in the name of Islam or engages in holy war; a term often used to refer to Islamists willing to engage in violence against the West or non-Muslims to achieve their aims

Question 10

Levant

Answer 10

The region of West Asia along the Eastern Mediterranean Sea that currently includes Israel and Palestine