Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Politics Review

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts from Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Politics.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

1. Shahadah 2. Salah 3. Zakat 4. Sawm 5. Hajj

What is Sharia in Islam?

A codified legal code consisting of the Quran, Sunna, Ijma, and Qiyas.

Define Islamism.

Promotion of Islamic religious and social precepts via political and organizational means.

What does Salafi-Jihadism combine?

It combines Salafism and Jihadism into hyper-military and acts of terrorism.

What is Sufism?

A syncretic expression of Islam prioritizing an intimate connection to God through asceticism.

Define authoritarianism in a political context.

Consolidation of authority through familial legacy, personal autocracy, or party rule.

What is democracy?

Rule by the people with electoral turnover achieved through free and fair elections.

What is the Peninsula Shield Force?

The collective security force of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

What was Operation Odyssey Dawn?

A military operation that involved bombing pro-Gaddafi forces and sites.

Who are the Houthis?

An Iran-backed Shia rebel group predominant in northwest Yemen.

What does ISIS stand for?

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

What is Operation Inherent Resolve?

A U.S.-led campaign of partner airstrikes against IS positions.

What are the three reasons why foreign fighters join ISIS?

Status, Revenge, Martyrdom.

What is the Gulf Crisis?

“quartet” (includes Egypt) begins diplomatic boycott and economic blockade of Qatar 

• Issues 13 demands for Qatar 

• Qatar refuses to change foreign policy 

• Kuwait and Oman remain neutral 

What is cloud seeding?

A method of inducing rainfall from clouds using silver oxide to create ice crystals.

Who are the Kurds?

A stateless ethnic group largely present in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

What was the primary objective of the JCPOA?

1. Reduction in uranium enrichment percentage 

2. Reduction in the number of centrifuges 

3. Phased monitoring by the IAEA 

4. Promised sanctions of relief

What are the Abraham Accords?

Bilateral normalizations between the United States, Israel, and several Arab states.

Bipolarity

A system with exactly two competing powers. (US v. USSR in Cold War)

What is multipolarity in the context of power distribution?

A system with three or more competing great powers.

What are distinct outcomes of the Arab Spring?

Regime change and protest in republics, reform and continuity in monarchies, and regional interventions.

What are the explanations of the arab spring?

Different forms of leader legitimacy, different kinds of public mobilization, and different levels of foreign support 

What are the BRICS nations?

An economic and political intergovernmental organization of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the new member states.

What are the new member states of BRICS?

As of 2023, the new member states of BRICS include Egypt,Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

Berger 2018

Three facets of the Israel “nation-state” law 

1. National self determination is unique to the jewish people 

2. Hebrew is the language of the state 

3. Jewish settlement as a national value

What are the key issues identified in Daoudy 2024?

• National reconciliation 

• Democratic governance 

• Restoration of sovereignty 

• Accountability

Which issues must academics reexamine assumptions? (Gause 2011)

Military’s role in Arab politics, effects on economic change in political stability, salience of cross-border Arab identity

What are the factors that stymie ISIS’ resurgence?

1. Syria and Iraq militate against resistance 

2. Islamic Tide across the entire region 

3. Nature of the population 

4. ISIS’ inability to attract new recruits to supplement its ranks 

5. Decline in proliferation of weapons and loss of financial resources 

What are the 5 points Grossman 2024 points out?

1. A foundation of principles, Abraham Accords was more than a political agreement, statement of shared principles.

2. shifting security alliances, has enabled better responses from Israel and UAE

3. People to people management, powerful counter to anti-semitism, dehumanization, and islamaphobia

4. Prosperity to peace, economic cooperation between Israel and the Abraham accords countries

5. role of women, integrating women into policy making

What are the proponents of JCPOA?

Increased iran’s breakout time, permitted Iran’s economic integration, congressional democrats , and EU and the P5+1

Who are the opponents of the JCPOA?

Allowed for “sunset clause” 

Failed to curb Iran’s ballistic missiles 

Congressional republicans 

Israel and most in  GCC

UAE Abraham Accords

US arms sales, investment and tourism

Bahrain Abraham Accords

some Israeli security coordination

Sudan Abraham Accords

 removal from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism List 

Morrocco Abraham Accords

US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara 

Unipolarity

exactly one hegemonic great power (US after the cold war until 2010s)

Multipolarity

three or more competing great powers (ex. Middle east since 2010s)

Maximum Pressure

campaign of economic sanctions to confront Iran 

• Supported by Israel and most GCC states 

• Resisted by many in EU, China, and Russia

Fundamental Flashpoints

• Hostages 

• Hospitals 

• Hudnas

Operation al-Aqsa Flood

A military operation launched by Hamas in October 2023, involving coordinated attacks against Israel, including rocket fire and ground incursions.

Democratization

promotion and expansion of political participation 

Liberalization

promotion and expansion of personal freedom 

I2U2

multilateral working group between India, Israel, United Arab Emirates, United States

Kalafa

system of migrant labor sponsorship prevalent in GCC states and parts of Levant

Operation Swords of Iron

war declared by the State of Israel against Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack 

Mitigation Methods

mitigates drought and enhances water resources, 

Methods: cloud seeding, desalination

*Iranian officials accused Israel and UAE of stealing water”