Middle East Politics and Protests
45 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What event ignited widespread protests across the Arab world in December 2010?

  • The anti-U.S. protests in Syria
  • The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi (correct)
  • The fall of Ben Ali in Tunisia
  • Political reforms proposed by Assad

    • Assad believed Syria's regime stability was largely due to its alignment with the U.S.

    False

    What percentage of the vote did Assad receive in the 2007 election?

    97 percent

    The wave of protests across the Arab world began on December 17, _____ when Mohamed Bouazizi self-immolated.

    <p>2010</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the events or characteristics with the correct descriptions:

    <p>Tunisia = Toppled President Ben Ali Syria = Sparked by teenagers' arrest for graffiti Assad's Image = Crafted as modern and accessible Economic Structure = State-dominated yet opened to private banks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the main grievances that led to protests in Syria?

    <p>Economic struggles and unemployment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Assad's initial popularity was solely based on his economic reforms.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant political change was proposed but sidestepped by Assad after 2000?

    <p>Political reform</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event marked the beginning of significant political and social debate in Syria after Hafez al-Assad's death?

    <p>Damascus Spring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bashar al-Assad became the leader of Syria in 1982.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant event in Tunisia is mentioned as influencing social unrest across the region?

    <p>The self-immolation of a vegetable seller</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Syrian Arab Army besieged the town of Hama in 1982 to suppress an uprising by the _______.

    <p>Muslim Brotherhood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following events with their descriptions:

    <p>Hama Massacre = Suppression of Muslim Brotherhood Damascus Spring = Political and social debate after 2000 Bashar al-Assad's leadership = Began in 2000 Tunisian self-immolation = Catalyst for social unrest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was referred to as the 'Sick Man of Europe'?

    <p>The Ottoman Empire</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sir Mark Sykes was a French diplomat.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What year was the Sykes-Picot agreement negotiated?

    <p>1916</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Ottoman Empire spread from the Middle East to __________.

    <p>Europe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following individuals to their roles:

    <p>Sir Mark Sykes = English traveler and specialist on the Ottoman Empire Francois Georges-Picot = French diplomat and advocate for agribusiness VOC = Rise in power that contributed to Ottoman decline Maronite Christians = Largest Christian denomination in Lebanon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What motivated the UK in relation to Syria and Iraq during the early 20th century?

    <p>To secure trade and imperialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Many Western countries were not interested in a part of the Ottoman Empire.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What overarching identity emerged within Greater Syria despite religious differences?

    <p>Arab</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of ISIS's primary goals regarding historical agreements?

    <p>To undo the Sykes-Picot Agreement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hafez Al-Assad used military force against Syrians during his rule.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was the Tunisian fruit vendor whose self-immolation sparked the Arab Spring?

    <p>Mohammed Bouazizi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Sykes-Picot Agreement was made in the year ____ between the UK and France.

    <p>1916</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the key events with their descriptions:

    <p>Destruction of Saddam Hussein's statue = Symbolic end of the Battle of Baghdad Mohammed Bouazizi's self-immolation = Catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution Arab Spring = Widespread protests and uprisings across the Arab world Hafez Al-Assad's rule = Dictatorship with a focus on compassion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following years marks the start of the Arab Spring?

    <p>2010</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bashar Al-Assad was Hafez Al-Assad's first son and took over leadership in Syria.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The political climate during Hafez Al-Assad's rule involved significant changes in ____ and economic policy.

    <p>sectarianism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Sykes-Picot Agreement primarily do?

    <p>Divided the Middle East among Western powers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Sykes-Picot Agreement was publicly acknowledged at the end of World War I.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who initiated the Arab Revolt in June 1916?

    <p>Hussein bin Ali</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The British gained control over the area surrounding the __________ as per the Sykes-Picot Agreement.

    <p>Persian Gulf</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following countries with their respective areas gained according to the Sykes-Picot Agreement:

    <p>United Kingdom = Persian Gulf France = Syria and Lebanon Italians = Southern Turkey Russians = Northern Iraq</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a consequence of the Sykes-Picot Agreement according to McMillan?

    <p>It was the groundwork for future wars</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Hussein-McMahon Correspondence included promises of support for Arab independence.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which British officer is known for aiding the Arab Revolt?

    <p>Lawrence of Arabia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organization is considered a significant concern for the Assad regime?

    <p>The Muslim Brotherhood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Federation of Arab Republics successfully merged Libya, Egypt, and Syria into a single entity.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood?

    <p>Hassan al-Banna</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bashar al-Assad became the leader of Syria after the death of his father, ________ al-Assad.

    <p>Hafez</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary goal of Syria's intervention in the Lebanese civil war?

    <p>To oppose foreign occupation by Israel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the event with the year it occurred:

    <p>Hama Massacre = 1982 Death of Hafez al-Assad = 2000 Yom Kippur War = 1973 Federation of Arab Republics = 1972-1977</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Damascus Spring represented a period of enhanced repression in Syria.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003?

    <p>A government was installed by the U.S.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Week 1 Study Notes

    • Syria, a young country in an ancient land, gained independence in 1945 but had been ruled by France and Britain previously. Colonial borders disregarded local traditions, creating a fragmented state.
    • Syria had a diverse population including Arabs, Kurds, and various religious groups (Sunni Muslims, Alawis, Druze, Christians). This diversity complicated national unity.
    • Arab nationalism aimed for a unified Arab state, while Kurds sought cultural rights.
    • Political instability characterized Syria from 1949 to 1970, with eight successful coups.
    • Syria briefly joined the United Arab Republic (1958-1961), but left due to authoritarianism. The Ba'ath Party seized power in 1963, adopting radical policies.
    • Hafez al-Assad stabilized Syria in 1970. He strengthened state power building public support, and job creation.
    • Hafez's rule benefited from the 1970s oil boom and Arab cooperation, along with Cold War dynamics that saw the Soviet Union back Syria and the US showing little concern about repressions.
    • Hafez played a role in Lebanon's civil war.
    • Bashar al-Assad, Hafez's son, succeeded him in 2000. Despite initial hopes for reform, his leadership faced a confrontation with the U.S. under President George W. Bush, and re-established his father's support for non-state militias.

    Week 2 Study Notes

    • Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom, political participation, private property, and equality of opportunity to contribute to peace and stability in international relations.
    • Liberal theories posit international peace and security will increase with democracy, free trade, and membership in international organizations.
    • Democratic peace theory suggests democracies are less likely to engage in wars with each other.
    • Economic interdependence reduces military conflict, as states with strong economic ties are less likely to resort to force. International organizations provide cooperative solutions in international relations.
    • Classical liberals believe in gradual improvement of the human condition through reason and human action.
    • Neoliberal institutionalism emphasizes the role of international institutions in fostering cooperation and managing conflicts.

    Week 3 Study Notes

    • President Obama's "red line" regarding chemical weapons use in Syria didn't result in a military intervention
    • The 2013 Ghouta chemical attack, which killed many civilians, led to international outrage and pressure on the Assad regime to disarm. This resulted in a UN-led agreement for Syria to surrender its chemical weapons.
    • Despite initial success, enforcement of the agreement proved difficult. Challenges included attribution of responsibility for chemical attacks, bureaucratic obstacles in the implementation of the agreement, and differing interpretations of the legal norms associated with the prohibition of chemical weapons. This highlights the complexities of applying international norms in a conflict zone.

    Week 4 Study Notes

    • Al-Qaeda, initially focused on resistance in Afghanistan, evolved into a global jihadist network.
    • The group's structure is a multifaceted one—ranging from Al-Qaeda Central leadership to affiliated and associated groups in specific regional conflicts.
    • The group's ideology espouses a return to an interpretation of Islam considered pious/pure. They often claim a necessary global jihad.
    • Al-Qaeda has utilized a wide range of practices and strategic methods, including recruitment, use of social media, and financial support to survive and grow their ranks. It also involved in different groups, acting independently of each other, but working towards similar objectives.

    Week 5 Study Notes

    • The securitization of migration concerns the social construction of migration as a security threat.
    • The Copenhagen School's securitization theory frames security not as an objective condition. but as the outcome of a particular social process.
    • The discourse surrounding refugees and asylum seekers as security threats reflects the power dynamics and politics of the host states and their concerns over issues of identity, economic competition, and perceived dangers to governance.
    • An inclusive security approach seeks to solve the root causes of forced migration to address the challenges of displacement.

    Week 6 Study Notes

    • Wartime rape and sexual violence are understood as a key form of conflict violence, targeting women and girls.
    • The focus on sexual violence by ISIS as a distinct issue has obscured the broader spectrum of gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict contexts. This emphasizes the need for a broader understanding that encompasses diverse forms of violence and their systemic causes, taking into account their local context.
    • The rise of extremist groups exacerbated gendered narratives, reinforcing stereotypes, and impacting women who participate.

    Week 7 Study Notes

    • The global chemical weapons taboo has been challenged by a state's use of chlorine gas attacks in Syria, particularly amidst the wider Syrian civil war.
    • Although the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) exists to prohibit the use and production of chemical weapons (CW), there are still concerns about enforcing this norm in warfare because of varying interpretations, political pressures, and difficulties in attribution of the responsibility for CW attacks.
    • The Syrian conflict underscores the complexity of enforcing international norms in the midst of conflict and the challenges in addressing such violations while upholding the legitimacy of the legal process and the safety of those involved in the verification process.

    Week 8 Study Notes

    • Historical motivations for conflict, like greed and grievance, have complex factors underpinning them, and are not always simply about the immediate profit.
    • Studies show that in many civil wars, economic incentives play a much larger role and that grievance arguments often mask these other factors.

    Week 9 Study Notes

    • The rise of organized crime within conflict zones, like Syria, can overlap with and even become intertwined with terrorist networks. The presence and power of states, their level of disruption, the economic environment have a role in the relationship between the criminal groups and their ideological sponsors in conflict and non-conflict regions.
    • The crime-terror nexus, which can be both long-term or short-term, is highly complex as this relationship is shaped by economic and geographic factors that affect the stability of the state, and it's the interaction or relationship between state actors and non-state actors that form the nexus.

    Week 10 Study Notes

    • This week focuses specifically on the Syrian civil conflict crisis following the end of the Islamic State's territorial control.
    • The Syrian Civil War highlighted competing financial interests among different sponsors that influenced the fragmented rebel groups, shifting them toward regional or sectarian struggles.
    • In addition to state sponsorship, funding from private donors and Islamic charities provided unprecedented financial resources to the Syrian civil war.
    • The impact of financial incentives on the Syrian conflict was significant as it changed the ideological and operational character of rebel groups and their alliances.

    Week 11 Study Notes (Exam Week)

    • This week is about summarising the major themes and developments of the Syrian civil war, including the regional and external actors involved.
    • The political and economic factors influencing the war are key, along with the role of the international community in responding to the crisis. Discussions about culpability or responsibility for actions are essential.

    Week 12 Study Notes

    • The political and economic factors influencing the war in Syria.
    • The role of international actors and responses to the crisis.
    • The complexities of culpability and responsibility for actions during the crisis and the role of resources and financial support in the conflict.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Tentamen Case Study Syria PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the events that sparked widespread protests in the Arab world starting in December 2010. This quiz covers key figures, political changes, and significant events that influenced social unrest across the region, particularly focusing on Syria and Tunisia.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser