Conflict in Iraq

Short Response

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

Kurds: Most live in the mountainous regions in the Middle East.
Shi'a: Most live in Southeastern Iraq.
Sunnis: Most life in Northern Iraq.

2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?
The Shi'as have control over most oil reserves because they are in Southern Iraq.

3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
Britian didn't have any oil fields and oil's importance was rapidly growing.

4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
They wanted Iraq to cut ties with the west and join the United Arab Republic.

5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?
He mordernized the Iraqi economy and created many government programs that benifited Iraqi citizens.

6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
They didn't want iran's islamist government to win the war but did want to improve relations with Iran and its leaders.

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. He did not want the responsability of controling a totally destabilized Iraq.

b. He did not want to totally destroy Iraq's current government.

Extended Response:

8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?
The three biggest groups in Iraq are the kurds, Shi'as and the Sunnis. It is important to understand their differences and respective backgrounds because the actions they took and continue to take in the Middle east are driven by their beliefs, pride, and different levels of nationalism.

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Part II Questions:

Short Response

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

a. He said they had a dangerous weapons program.

b. They supported terriorism.

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

a. To end Hussein's reign of power in Iraq.

b. To uncover any WMDs Iraq might have.

11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.

a. Many Iraqis are distrustful of the new government.

b. Many Iraqis want US forces to leave.

Extended Response:

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

Shi'a: The Shi'as do not want the Sunnis to regain power again and resume Hussain's tatics but are also against forgin (US) involvement.

Sunni: The Sunnis are concerned that the democracy will keep them out of power and are trying to get rid of it.

Kurd: The Kurds do not want the Sunnis to regain power and want total control of Kurdistan.

al Qaeda: al Qaeda wants to overthrow the new Iraqi government and possably create a single Islamic state that would include the entire Middle East.