Conflict in Iraq Q & A

August 9, 2009






PART I




Short Response



1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a and Sunnis live in Iraq?

Kurds: The Kurds live in the mountainous region of Iraq.

Shi'a: Mostly in southern Iraq.

Sunnis: The Sunnis live in Bagdad and in the north.



2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?

The Sha'i in the South own most of the oil reserves.



3. What is the main reason Britian become involved in Iraq?

The British wanted to gain control in Iraq's oil reserves as they have very little reserves.



4. What did Pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?

The Pan-Arabists sought independence for the middle-east and encouraged Iraq to stop ties with the British.



5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970's?

Saddam Hussein held the possition of deputy under President Ahamad Hassan al-Bakr and devised a system to provide free education and universal health care.



6.Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq war?

The United States didn't want a victory by Iran's Islamist government.



7. Why did president George H.W. Bush (1989-93) bring the ground portion of the First Persian Gulf War to a halt? List Two reasons

a. Suddam Hussein controlled one quarter of the world's oil fields
b. The president wanted to rekindle Arab nationalism






Extended Response:



8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?



The main religion in Iraq is Muslim. Out of this religion, its is split into two major sub-religions, Sunni muslims, Sha'i Muslims, and the Kurds. It is important to understand these differences because often in human history, when you don't know or understand something, you are usually afraid of it, which leads to you wanting to destroy/ eliminate it. For example, when the americans started to settle into the U.S., the found native americans there, they didn't know them, and feared them, leading them to almost extinction and harmful thoughs towards them. It seems that the Shi'a and the Sunnis and the Kurds don't know each other and don't understand. Which leads to fear, that can quickly turn to violence.






PART II





Short Response



9. What dangers did President George W. Bush (2001-09) say Iraq posted to the region and the world? Name two.

a. The president said that Iraq had lots of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction)
b. He thought that Suddam Hussein is a terrorist and was part of the bombing of the Twin towers when in fact he was not.




10.What were the U.S. government's declared goals in setting troops to Iraq?

a. The government said that they wanted to form democracy in Iraq.
b. They also wanted to make peace between the fighting religions.



11. List two reason violence continues in Iraq.

a. Violence continues because many Iraqis are angry at the U.S. presence still here
b. Also because they don't trust their new government




Extended Response:



12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)

Sha'i: The Sha'i view the Sunni's as supporters of Suddam Hussein and don't want them in power again. They also don't want the country to be led be foreigners so they want the U.S. out of Iraq.
Sunni: The Sunnis fear that the United States is helping the Sha'i rise to power in the government. They fight because they fear that if the Sha'i control the government Iraq will become Sha'i Iran.
Kurd: The Kurds also don't wan't the Sunni's to rise to power again. They want recognization in the religion and in Kurdistan. Kurds are very nationalistic.
Al Quaeda: Al Quaeda aims to overthrow the Iraqi new government using voilence. Also they want to make a single Iraqi Islamic state covering many different states.