PSCI 4242/Middle East Politics

Thought Questions

1. (Due Tuesday, 25 Jan 22) The Sunni/Shia split within Islam has historical as well as doctrinal origins. Describe both using materiel from lecture and the Armstrong/Payind/Brooks readings. What do you believe is the significance of each in the Islamic world today?

2. (Due Tuesday, 1 Feb 22) “What went wrong?” Detail several of Lewis’ explanations for the Islamic regions in the Middle East falling behind Europe in many facets of modernity. Which was the most significant and why? Or is there an alternate explanation?

3. (Due Tuesday, 8 Feb 22) What were the characteristics of Palestine in the 19^th century regarding governance, demographics and economics? What were the main facets of the British Strategy dealing with the area of Palestine during WWI? Which of the two (existing demographics or British policy) was more to blame for the civil war during the Mandate period in Palestine and why?

4. (Due Tuesday, 15 Feb 22) The Lebanese Civil War turned the former commercial center of Beirut into a wasteland. What were the basic causes of the Lebanese Civil War? Did the Reagan administration understand the conflict in Lebanon? What should have the U.S. done differently with regard to the Lebanese government, Syria, the PLO and Israel that might have ameliorated the situation?

5. (Due Tuesday, 22 Feb 22) How has Israeli domestic politics shaped the peace process? What is it about the Israeli political institutions that make compromise with the Palestinian authority difficult? How have Israeli domestic politics changed since the founding of the state of Israel?

6. (Due Tuesday, 8 Mar 22) Using course readings and the film, compare and contrast the Arab Spring as it happened in Tunisia and Egypt. Compare both causes and outcomes. What caused any differences? Which is the most important?

7. (Due Tuesday 15 March 22) Using the course readings and lectures compare and contrast the Arab Spring as it happened in Libya and Syria. Compare both causes and outcome. How did the international intervention affect the outcomes? Would non-intervention have affected the situation today?

8. (Due Tuesday 5 April 22) What caused the rise of ISIS/ISIL/DAESH? Which was the most important cause? Could the rise of this apocalyptic radical group have been stopped early on? If so, how?

9. (Due Tuesday 12 April 22) The first UN peacekeepers went into Cyprus to separate Greek and Turkish Cypriots in 1964 after Cyprus obtained their independence from the UK in 1960. The peacekeepers are still there and the island remains divided today. Detail the key issues of the Treaty of Guarantee. What led to the Turkish invasion? What efforts have been made to reunify the island? Why does it matter today?

10. Last One (Due Tuesday, 19 April 22) Who are the two "sides" in the Yemeni civil war? Why are they fighting? Is this just a civil war or is there something more? Using Walter's framework, why are the two groups still fighting today?