Arabian Penninsula Flashcard Set

Study Guide: Middle East History and Current Affairs

Core Principles:
- Shahada (Faith): Declaration of faith.
- Salat (Prayer): Ritual prayers five times a day.
- Zakat (Charity): Giving alms to the needy.
- Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during Ramadan.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage): Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Regional Influence:
- Shaped legal systems (Sharia law).
- Influenced art, architecture, and societal norms.
- Predominant in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia.

Origins:
- Dispute over Prophet Muhammad's successor.
- Sunnis: Community should select the leader (Abu Bakr).
- Shiites: Leadership should stay within the Prophet’s family (Ali).
Continuing Influence:
- Different religious practices and theological doctrines.
- Political and social tensions, e.g., Iran-Iraq War, Syrian conflict.
- Regional power dynamics: Saudi Arabia (Sunni) vs. Iran (Shiite).

Ottoman Rule:
- Controlled the Middle East from the 16th century until WWI.
- Multi-ethnic empire including modern Turkey, Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Southeast Europe.
Administration:
- Provinces (vilayets) governed by appointed officials.
- Centralized bureaucratic system with some religious and cultural autonomy.
Impact:
- Decline led to nationalism and independence movements.
- Post-WWI European colonial mandates shaped modern Middle Eastern states.

Colonialism and Mandates:
- Post-WWI Sykes-Picot Agreement divided the Middle East.
- British and French control over Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine.
Cold War Influence:
- US and Soviet Union vied for influence, backing different regimes and movements.
- US allies: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran (pre-1979). Soviet allies: Egypt, Syria.
Recent Interventions:
- Gulf War, Afghanistan invasion, Iraq War.
- Mixed results: prolonged conflicts, instability, criticism of motives.

Wars:
- 1948 War: Establishment of Israel, Arab states' attack, Palestinian displacement.
- 1956 Suez Crisis: Conflict over Suez Canal.
- 1967 Six-Day War: Israel's territorial gains.
- 1973 Yom Kippur War: Egypt and Syria's attack, eventual Israeli success.
Diplomacy:
- Camp David Accords (1978): Peace between Israel and Egypt.
- Oslo Accords (1993): Framework for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
- Ongoing challenges to a comprehensive resolution.

Core Issues:
- Disputed borders.
- Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
- Competing claims over Jerusalem.
- Right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Political Obstacles:
- Internal Palestinian divisions.
- Hardline factions in Israel.
- Fluctuating international support.
- Cycles of violence and mistrust.

Rise of Fundamentalism:
- Iranian Revolution (1979) established a theocratic regime.
- Rise of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Qaeda, ISIS.
Impact:
- Challenged secular governments.
- Influenced political discourse and engaged in terrorism.
- Regional and global security concerns.

Economic Impact:
- Transformed economies, especially in the Gulf.
- Nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar experienced rapid development.
Geopolitical Influence:
- Energy resources provided significant geopolitical leverage.
- Oil used as a political tool (e.g., 1973 oil embargo).
Challenges:
- Economic vulnerability to price fluctuations.
- Environmental concerns.
- Need for economic diversification.

Historical Context:
- Post-colonial states saw the rise of authoritarian regimes.
- Leaders like Saddam Hussein, Hafez al-Assad, Muammar Gaddafi.
Consequences:
- Human rights abuses, stifled political freedoms, economic mismanagement.
- Resistance movements and uprisings, such as the Arab Spring.

Initial Outcomes:
- Mass protests and uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Fall of regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen.
Long-Term Impact:
- Tunisia transitioned to a relatively stable democracy.
- Other countries experienced civil war, political instability, authoritarian resurgence.
Regional Dynamics:
- Influenced regional politics, exacerbated sectarian divides, reshaped alliances.
- Highlighted demands for political participation, economic opportunities, and social justice.

The Saud Dynasty:
- Established small state near Riyadh, linked to Wahhabi movement.
- Unification of Saudi Arabia:
  - Abdulaziz Al Saud unified Saudi Arabia with British assistance.
  - 1925: Control of Mecca, 1932: Kingdom proclaimed.
Discovery of Oil:
- 1938: Oil found at Dammam Well Number 7.
- ARAMCO established, providing wealth to the government and Al Saud family.
Key Figures:
- King Abdulaziz, King Saud, King Faisal, King Khalid.

The Persian Gulf War:
- Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and threat to Saudi Arabia.
- US and Allied forces' involvement.
Islam & the Saudi Royal Family:
- Criticism of allowing foreign troops.
- Rise of Crown Prince Abdullah, less pro-Western stance.
Saudi Arabia and 9/11:
- Majority of hijackers were Saudis.
- Controversial links to terrorist figures.
Current Leadership:
- King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS).

Commonalities:
- Wealth from oil/natural gas, British protectorates, small size, large foreign worker populations, monarchies.
Kuwait:
- Invaded by Iraq in 1990, liberal and progressive, semi-democratic.
Bahrain:
- Close ties to Saudi Arabia and US, civil liberties concerns, Shiite-Sunni conflict.
Qatar:
- Wealthy, preparing for World Cup, regional tensions, Al Jazeera influence.

Commonalities:
- Larger than Gulf States, former British protectorates.
UAE:
- Wealth from finance and tourism, hub for transcontinental travel.
Oman:
- Led by Sultan Qaboos, known for economic growth and mediation.
Yemen:
- Civil war, no recognized government, former North-South division, Houthi rebellion.

Allah, Arab, Caliphate, Cuneiform, Hajj, Islam, Koran, Ramadan, Shiite, Sultan, Sunni, Zionist

Abraham, Abu Bakr, Ali, Sharif Hussein, Jesus, T. E. Lawrence, Mehmed the Conqueror, Prophet Muhammad

Arab Revolt, Balfour Declaration, Constantinople, Jerusalem, McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, Mecca, Mesopotamia, Ottoman Empire, Palestine, Sumer, Sykes-Picot Agreement