Complications

The Bush Administration thought of politics as

the relationship between individuals and the state.

In the Middle East people see politics as the balance of power between communities.

There are no politics in the authoritarian regimes – it’s the regimes way or the highway.

The Iraq Model

Part of the US Foreign Policy in the Middle East

was/is to make Iraq a model of democracy for the Middle East.

The hope is that democracy will allow the diverse populations of the Middle East to finally get along …

Remember

As of right now a little– but the rivalry between

Sunni and Shiite is growing quickly. Most Islamists are Shiite (as a minority group

throughout much of the Middle East - democracy is the only way Shittes can have any voice).

Most of the ruling classes of the Middle East are Sunni.

Creates an immediate conflict of interest.

Is there a rivalry?

Iran is considered the leader of the Shitte

world, and their influence has been growing since 2003.

Iran

Since US occupation of Iraq, Iran has built an

extensive support network amongst Iraqis. This closeness between Iraq and Iran has

caught the US off guard. Since they fought each other in a war for most

of the 80’s we assumed they would continue to be cold towards each other.

Iraq and Iran

Saddam’s Baath party was Sunni and they did

everything they could to drive Shiites out of Iraq.

Less diversity would equal more control of Iraq.

Even resorted to pogroms to get the job done. Many Shiites who left Iraq in the 80’s and 90’s

are now going back home. These returning Iraqis have strong

connections with their Shiite neighbors now …

Iraq and Iran continued …

Sharia Law is the religious code and religious

law of Islam. Sharia deals with many topics addressed by

secular law, including crime, politics, and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer, and fasting.

Interpretations of sharia vary between cultures.

Its source is from the Koran and Muslim religious scholars.

Sharia Law

Women's’ rights Some punishments are seen as Medieval Separation of church and state to promote life, liberty, and

pursuit of happiness. Freedom of religion, of expression, of thought … No room for debate, Sharia Law comes from God and is

infallible . What if Muslim Americans want this stuff in the USA?

Sharia Law has been the corner stone of the Islamist movement, especially among Shiites.

Concerns of Sharia Law in the USA

The Brotherhood's credo was and is, "Allah is

our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations.“

Muslim Brotherhood

The Brotherhood's stated goal is to instill the

Qur'an as the "sole reference point for ...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state".

The movement officially opposes violent means to achieve its goals, although at one time encompassed a paramilitary wing and its members were involved in massacres, bombings and assassinations of political opponents.

Continued …

Their language in their charters make us

nervous. It’s a group that has membership across this

Middle East. They have potential to unify the Middle East

into an a new Caliph, or Muslim Empire. It’s unlikely, given the numerous rivalries in

the Middle East, but it’s a possibility nonetheless.

Why these guys worry the USA