THE MIDDLE EAST THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AND NORTH

AFRICAAFRICAWHAT IS AN ARAB?WHAT IS AN ARAB?

HOW DID ARAB CULTURE SPREAD?HOW DID ARAB CULTURE SPREAD?WHAT FACTORS SHAPED POLITICAL WHAT FACTORS SHAPED POLITICAL

DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION?DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION?

WHAT IS AN ARAB?WHAT IS AN ARAB?• LINGUISTIC LINGUISTIC

GROUGROUPP• Those who speak Those who speak

Arabic as their Arabic as their native languagenative language

• Not standardized Not standardized in spoken formin spoken form

Modern Spoken ArabicModern Spoken Arabic

Many dialects Many dialects hindered hindered communication communication and Arab unityand Arab unity

Al Jazzera News Al Jazzera News speak standard speak standard written Arabic written Arabic

Broadcasts from Broadcasts from QatarQatar

Arab CultureArab CultureNomadic TraditionsNomadic Traditions

Arab culture – Arab culture – follows customs follows customs common to a common to a desert desert environmentenvironment

Nomadic – Nomadic – search for search for water, grazingwater, grazing

Bedouin Bedouin TraditionTradition

HOW DID ARAB HOW DID ARAB CULTURE SPREAD?CULTURE SPREAD?

TradeTrade

ConquestConquest

ReligionReligion

TRADETRADE

Mid East Mid East Crossroads of Crossroads of worldworld

Between Europe Between Europe and Chinaand China

Great Trade CitiesGreat Trade Cities Caravans to Sub Caravans to Sub

SaharanSaharan AfricaAfrica

CONQUESTCONQUEST

Arab Armies Arab Armies moved West moved West

Conquered Conquered Egypt and other Egypt and other North African North African civilizationscivilizations

Arabic became Arabic became common common languagelanguage

RELIGIONRELIGION

Islam arose in Arabia (620 CE)Islam arose in Arabia (620 CE) Revitalized Arab civilizationRevitalized Arab civilization Arabs conquered neighborsArabs conquered neighbors Conquered people adopted IslamConquered people adopted Islam No translations of KoranNo translations of Koran Islam says “no conversion by the Islam says “no conversion by the

sword” but, were conquered people sword” but, were conquered people forced to convert?forced to convert?

al Azhar Universityal Azhar UniversityForemost Authority on Foremost Authority on

Islam Islam

EXCEPTIONS?EXCEPTIONS?

Not all countries in this Not all countries in this region are Arabregion are Arab

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

EXCEPTIONS?EXCEPTIONS?

1. Israel – Hebrew (Palestinians are 1. Israel – Hebrew (Palestinians are Arab speaking)Arab speaking)

2. Turkey _ Turkish2. Turkey _ Turkish 3. Iran - Farsi3. Iran - Farsi

WHAT DEFINES THIS WHAT DEFINES THIS REGION?REGION?

Religion – birthplace of three major Religion – birthplace of three major monotheistic world religions.monotheistic world religions.

Oil – holds 56% of world’s reservesOil – holds 56% of world’s reserves

Water – drinking water and important Water – drinking water and important shipping lanesshipping lanes

RELIGIONRELIGION

Birthplace of Major World ReligionsBirthplace of Major World ReligionsAll monotheistic and linked by a common All monotheistic and linked by a common

ancestorancestor Judaism – 2000 BCE Judaism – 2000 BCE Christianity – 4 BCE Birth of JesusChristianity – 4 BCE Birth of Jesus Islam – 610 CE Koran revealed to Islam – 610 CE Koran revealed to

Muhammad Muhammad

JERUSALEM JERUSALEM Holy City for Jews, Christians and Holy City for Jews, Christians and MuslimsMuslims

Religion Links Believers Religion Links Believers to the Middle East to the Middle East

Strong emotional tiesStrong emotional tiesPeople around the world care about the People around the world care about the

politics of the regionpolitics of the regionWant stabilityWant stabilityAccess to the Holy Sites (Jerusalem, Access to the Holy Sites (Jerusalem,

Mecca)Mecca)Donate money and support causes based Donate money and support causes based

in the Mid Eastin the Mid East

OILOIL

Oil Money Causes TensionOil Money Causes Tension Not equally distributed (rich & poor Not equally distributed (rich & poor

countries)countries) ““Rogue nations” – oil money allows Rogue nations” – oil money allows

some countries to operate outside of some countries to operate outside of the world community. (Libya, Iran…)the world community. (Libya, Iran…)

““mischief money”mischief money”May conflict with Muslim values.May conflict with Muslim values.

““Mischief Money”Mischief Money”

LOCKERBIELOCKERBIE1988 Pan Am Flight 1031988 Pan Am Flight 103

Blown up by bomb planted Blown up by bomb planted by Libyan agentby Libyan agent

Libya proven to be state Libya proven to be state sponsor of terrorismsponsor of terrorism

Lockerbie Bomber freed by Lockerbie Bomber freed by Scotland in 2009. Died in Scotland in 2009. Died in 2011. Was oil a factor?2011. Was oil a factor?

MOMAR KHADAFIMOMAR KHADAFI

OPECOPECPowerful cartel controls Powerful cartel controls oil production and pricesoil production and prices

OPECOPEC

1960 regains control of 1960 regains control of industry from Westindustry from West

Increased demand brings Increased demand brings increased profitsincreased profits

OPEC uses their power for OPEC uses their power for political purposes political purposes

1973 Yom Kippur War – OPEC 1973 Yom Kippur War – OPEC curtailed production to punish curtailed production to punish Israel's allies Israel's allies Lines at pump, rationing, Lines at pump, rationing,

shortages, Odd/even days, shortages, Odd/even days, carpooling, fuel efficient cars carpooling, fuel efficient cars etc.etc.

80's recession decreased 80's recession decreased OPEC's PowerOPEC's Power

2012 Iran (OPEC member) 2012 Iran (OPEC member) threatened to close the threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz unless Straits of Hormuz unless sanctions liftedsanctions lifted

OIL , OPECOIL , OPEC

&&

POLITICSPOLITICS

2012 Iran threatened to close the 2012 Iran threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz unless sanctions lifted

Straits of Hormuz unless sanctions lifted

WATERWATER

Control of this Control of this scarce scarce resource used resource used to mean power to mean power in M.E., butin M.E., but

Desalination Desalination plants allow for plants allow for new new developmentdevelopment

• WHAT FACTORS HAVE WHAT FACTORS HAVE AFFECTED THE POLITICAL AFFECTED THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION?REGION?

Political Development Political Development Shaped byShaped by

Tribal CultureTribal CultureReligious ValuesReligious Values InvasionInvasion ImperialismImperialismArab Arab

NationalismNationalism

TRIBAL CULTURETRIBAL CULTURE

Alliances with Alliances with related tribesrelated tribes

First loyalty to First loyalty to tribal leaderstribal leaders

Outsiders not Outsiders not trustedtrusted

Problems with Problems with democracydemocracy

““Tribes with flags”Tribes with flags”

• In modern Mid In modern Mid East countries East countries tribal issues and tribal issues and practices are just practices are just below the surface. below the surface.

Iraqi Tribal LeadersIraqi Tribal Leaders

RELIGIOUS RELIGIOUS INFLUENCEINFLUENCE

• No separation of “mosque and state”No separation of “mosque and state”• This was a Western concept in reaction to the This was a Western concept in reaction to the

power of the popepower of the pope• No organized clergy in Sunni IslamNo organized clergy in Sunni Islam• Less concern about a powerful cleric taking overLess concern about a powerful cleric taking over• Religious values are an obvious framework for Religious values are an obvious framework for

GovernmentGovernment

The Sharia LawThe Sharia Law

• Based on the KoranBased on the Koran

• The teachings of the prophet MuhammedThe teachings of the prophet Muhammed

• The interpretation of Islamic legal scholarsThe interpretation of Islamic legal scholars

The Sharia Governs Civil The Sharia Governs Civil and Criminal Mattersand Criminal Matters

Civil:Civil:

•Religious dutiesReligious duties

•Business disputesBusiness disputes

•Family mattersFamily matters•MarriageMarriage•DivorceDivorce•Child custodyChild custody•InheritanceInheritance

Criminal MattersCriminal MattersCarry Harsh PunishmentsCarry Harsh Punishments

•Adultery - stoningAdultery - stoning

•Robbery - executionRobbery - execution

•Theft - amputationTheft - amputation

•Slander - lashesSlander - lashes

•Intoxication - lashesIntoxication - lashes

•Murder and injury – Murder and injury – retaliation by victims retaliation by victims realtivesrealtives

Sharia Courts Spark Sharia Courts Spark ControversyControversy

Should Sharia or Should Sharia or other religious courts other religious courts be allowed to operate be allowed to operate in countries that have in countries that have Western legal Western legal systems?systems?

Religious Divisions Religious Divisions Cause Tension In the Cause Tension In the

Modern WorldModern World Sunni /Shia splitSunni /Shia split Sunni 85% Sunni 85% Shia 15%Shia 15% Discrimination against Discrimination against

Shia minoritiesShia minorities Iraq and Iran are Iraq and Iran are

predominantly Shiapredominantly Shia

Shia LeadersShia Leaders

Leaders - direct Leaders - direct descendants of descendants of the Prophetthe Prophet

Ayatollahs in Ayatollahs in spiritual spiritual communication communication with 12with 12thth Imam Imam

Political PowerPolitical Power

Religious Minorities Religious Minorities Face DiscriminationFace Discrimination

FundamentalismFundamentalismQuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

FundamentalismFundamentalism

Is characterized by a sense of Is characterized by a sense of “embattled alienation” even in “embattled alienation” even in the midst of a culture that follows the midst of a culture that follows the same religion.the same religion.

FundamentalismFundamentalism

• Belief that one's religious Belief that one's religious texts are infallibletexts are infallible

• One’s practice is better or One’s practice is better or more pure than that of more pure than that of others who follow the same others who follow the same faith.faith.

Fundamentalism is Fundamentalism is GrowingGrowing

• What causes it?What causes it?• Why does it attract followers?Why does it attract followers?• How can we deal with its violent How can we deal with its violent

forms – without more violence?forms – without more violence? (BBC News)(BBC News)

Christian Christian FundamentalistsFundamentalists

• Waco Massacre Waco Massacre • 1993 siege on 1993 siege on

headquarters of headquarters of Branch DavidiansBranch Davidians

• Cult like group led Cult like group led by David Koreshby David Koresh

• 76 killed, including 76 killed, including 20 children20 children

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Jewish Jewish FundamentalistsFundamentalists

• Orthodox in their Orthodox in their observanceobservance

• Torah given to Torah given to Moses by God and Moses by God and must be observed must be observed in every detailin every detail

• In modern Israel In modern Israel “settlers” claim “settlers” claim God given rights to God given rights to land designated for land designated for PalestiniansPalestinians

Muslim Muslim FundamentalistsFundamentalists

“Islamists”“Islamists”

Also known as Also known as “political “political Islam”Islam”

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Islamist GroupsIslamist Groups

Al QaedaAl QaedaHamas Hamas HezbollahHezbollahMuslim Muslim

BrotherhoodBrotherhood

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

What explains the rise of What explains the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism?Islamic Fundamentalism?

• autocratic leaders, repressive gov’tsautocratic leaders, repressive gov’ts• overcrowded cities overcrowded cities • insufficient social support systemsinsufficient social support systems• high unemployment rates high unemployment rates • government corruptiongovernment corruption• a growing gap between rich and poora growing gap between rich and poor

• Will it go away if these problems are Will it go away if these problems are addressed?addressed?

Islamist Groups Are Islamist Groups Are Often a Problem in Often a Problem in Muslim Countries Muslim Countries

• Challenge their own gov’tsChallenge their own gov’ts• Threaten securityThreaten security• May impose their own strict May impose their own strict

regimesregimes• Assassination and terrorAssassination and terror

How has INVASION How has INVASION shaped political shaped political development?development?

• 333BCE Alexander the Great - Greek 333BCE Alexander the Great - Greek InfluenceInfluence

• 30 to 395CE Romans - Rise of 30 to 395CE Romans - Rise of ChristianityChristianity

• 395-1453CE Byzantine Empire - Parts of 395-1453CE Byzantine Empire - Parts of ME controlled from Constantinople ME controlled from Constantinople

• 1453-1918CE Ottoman Empire1453-1918CE Ottoman Empire• http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPI

RE17.swf

Ottoman Turks Were Ottoman Turks Were Muslim, Not Arab, Muslim, Not Arab, Dominated RegionDominated Region

IMPERIALISMIMPERIALISM

• Ottoman Empire is defeated in WWIOttoman Empire is defeated in WWI• The Allies divide up Ottoman lands The Allies divide up Ottoman lands • European domination 1918 to 1940’sEuropean domination 1918 to 1940’s• Influenced by western language, dress, Influenced by western language, dress,

education, law and governmenteducation, law and government• Western oil companies are powerfulWestern oil companies are powerful

Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles

• ““The Peace to End All Peace”The Peace to End All Peace”• Creates Mandates that gave control of Creates Mandates that gave control of

the ME to victorious European powers.the ME to victorious European powers.• GB - Palestine, Jordan, Iraq (Egypt)GB - Palestine, Jordan, Iraq (Egypt)• France - Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, France - Syria, Lebanon, Morocco,

AlgeriaAlgeria• Italy - LibyaItaly - Libya

British Mandate British Mandate In PalestineIn Palestine

See See

Israel – Palestine Israel – Palestine Power PointPower Point

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Arab NationalismArab Nationalism(Pan-Arabism)(Pan-Arabism)

• Post WWII movement to end Western Post WWII movement to end Western domination of the Middle Eastdomination of the Middle East

• Arabs had helped Allies during WWI Arabs had helped Allies during WWI and expected independence not and expected independence not “Mandates”“Mandates”

• But oil is too importantBut oil is too important• Arab Nationalists carry out attacks on Arab Nationalists carry out attacks on

Western targets 1920-1940’sWestern targets 1920-1940’s

““The Mandates”The Mandates”

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Independence Independence Movements After Movements After

WWII WWII

• Weakened by WWII and attacks by Weakened by WWII and attacks by nationalists, Euro powers can’t hold on to nationalists, Euro powers can’t hold on to “mandates” after WWII“mandates” after WWII

• Independence movements sweep the regionIndependence movements sweep the region• Some swift, some long and bitterSome swift, some long and bitter• Algeria fights for independence from French Algeria fights for independence from French

1954-19621954-1962• New governments take many formsNew governments take many forms

Governments of the Governments of the Middle EastMiddle East

Monarchy, Parliamentary Monarchy, Parliamentary Democracy, Republic, Fake Democracy, Republic, Fake

Republic and TheocracyRepublic and Theocracy

MONARCHYMONARCHY

Traditional Traditional Monarchies Monarchies

King, Sultan, Sheikh, King, Sultan, Sheikh, Emir hold absolute Emir hold absolute power.power.

What give monarchs What give monarchs legitimacy?legitimacy?

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Constitutional MonarchConstitutional Monarch

Monarch‘s power is Monarch‘s power is limited.limited.

People have rights.People have rights.

Some elected Some elected offices.offices.

Parliamentary Parliamentary DemocracyDemocracy

• Multi Party electionsMulti Party elections• Proportional Proportional

RepresentationRepresentation• Majority picks Prime Majority picks Prime

MinisterMinister• Or forms CoalitionOr forms Coalition• Vote of no confidenceVote of no confidence• People have a voicePeople have a voice

Turkish ParliamentTurkish Parliament

QuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

RepublicRepublic““Presidential Legislative Democracy”Presidential Legislative Democracy”

• ConstitutionConstitution

• Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

• Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

• Free and open electionsFree and open elections

• People vote, elect representativesPeople vote, elect representatives

• Peaceful Transfer of PowerPeaceful Transfer of Power

• Rights of the people are protectedRights of the people are protected

Fake Republics?Fake Republics?

Constitution that is Constitution that is not enforcednot enforced

Rule by dominant Rule by dominant partyparty

Elections are not Elections are not free and fairfree and fair

Gov’t controls the Gov’t controls the mediamedia

The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring

•Authoritarian RulersAuthoritarian Rulers

•Abuse of Civil and Abuse of Civil and Human rightsHuman rights

•High UnemploymentHigh Unemployment

•Lack of OpportunityLack of Opportunity

•Gap Between Rich Gap Between Rich and Poorand Poor

•What is Freedom?What is Freedom?

Underlying CausesUnderlying Causes

The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring

Trigger Cause:Trigger Cause: •December 2010December 2010

•Self-immolation of Self-immolation of Tunisian street vendorTunisian street vendor

•Sets off protests Sets off protests across the MENA across the MENA regionregion

The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring

What made it What made it possible?possible?

The Arab SpringThe Arab SpringImmediate ResultsImmediate Results

Leaders Forced Out of Leaders Forced Out of Power in Power in

•Tunisia (Ben AliTunisia (Ben Ali))

•Egypt (Hosni Mubarak)Egypt (Hosni Mubarak)

•Libya (Momar Khadafi)Libya (Momar Khadafi)

•Yemen (Saleh)Yemen (Saleh)

•But others, like Bashar al-But others, like Bashar al-Assad of Syria, fight backAssad of Syria, fight back

Syrian Civil WarSyrian Civil War

The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring

Long Term ChangesLong Term Changes

Who will take power?Who will take power?

What new alliances will What new alliances will be formed? be formed?

Will all Arab citizens Will all Arab citizens have rights ?have rights ?

How will it affect U.S. How will it affect U.S. Interests?Interests?