The Modern Middle East Rise of Islamic Extremism

The Modern Middle East Rise of Islamic Extremism

Middle East After WWI • The Ottoman Empire after WWI was divided between France and Great Britain – essentially becoming colonies under the Mandate System (*question on final about this!) • It is during this period that oil production began to boom in the Middle East and gained extreme regional importance, especially to modern Western nations • In the small region of Palestine (historical/biblical homeland of Hebrews/Jews), Jewish immigrants increased causing tensions between Jews and Palestinians • Nationalist regional leaders during this time began to push for independence from Europeans

The Middle East Since WWII • End of WWII led to decolonization across the Middle East • Many places were taken over by dictators, military leaders, and Islamic religious leaders who seized power • The strict belief in Shiite and Sunni Islam and the wealth of the vast supplies of oil often complicated relations between the nations • 1990 – Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait to seize oil • Prompts U. S. to lead an invasion to stop him (Persian Gulf War)

Soviet War in Afghanistan • When a communist uprising occurred in Afghanistan in 1979 the Soviet Union sent in its military in support • The U. S. supplied and funded the Afghan forces battling the Soviets known as the Mujahedeen • Young Osama bin Laden rises as a prominent leader • Upon the defeat of the Soviets, Afghanistan fell under the control of a strict Islamic government called the Taliban • Implemented Sharia Law across the country VS.

Rise of al-Qaeda • Osama bin Laden and another Mujahedeen fighter Ayman al-Zawahiri created an organization based on an extreme interpretation of the Quran. • Al Qaeda claims to have two goals: • Establish a caliphate of Muslim control over Middle East • Remove all infidels (non. Muslims) from Muslim lands

• View U. S. and allies as enemies for supporting Israel • Begin using acts of terrorism against civilian targets in Western countries to create fear • 1993 – Car bomb at World Trade Center • 1998 – USS Cole bombed

9/11 Attacks • September 11, 2001 al. Qaeda carries out the deadliest terrorist attack in U. S. history • Four airplanes are hijacked by al-Qaeda suicide terrorists • Crash two planes into the World Trade Center in New York • Crash third plane into the Pentagon building in D. C.

• Fourth plane crashes into field in Pennsylvania when passengers fought back • Nearly 3, 000 Americans killed in the attacks • U. S. responds by launching the Global War on Terror

War in Afghanistan • U. S. learns that Osama bin Laden was behind that attacks • The Taliban government of Afghanistan had been protecting him and allowing him to plan the attacks • U. S. responds by leading a NATO attack into Afghanistan in October 2001 to capture bin Laden and remove Taliban • Initially successful at ousting the Taliban and overseeing democratic elections, the war carried on as insurgents fought back until U. S. leaves in 2014 • Nearly 2, 500 U. S. soldiers killed

War in Iraq • In 2003 the U. S. led an invasion of Iraq based on two claims: 1. Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein was helping al-Qaeda 2. Iraq secretly had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) • Like Afghanistan, the war was initially successful as the U. S. ousted Saddam and held democratic elections • Between 2003 and 2011 the U. S. battled an insurgency and still has troops present overseeing the Iraqi Army’s fight against extremists • Nearly 4, 500 U. S. casualties

Rise of Islamic Extremism • The insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq led to the rise and spreading of extremist Islamic groups and beliefs

• Groups such as al. Qaeda begin operating against U. S. troops across the middle east • Bin Laden is killed by Navy SEALS in May 2011, but splinter groups of al-Qaeda carry on • Al-Qaeda in Iraq; al. Qaeda in Yemen

The Arab Spring • Beginning in the spring of 2011 a mass wave of demonstrations and uprisings spread across the Middle East • Students and others organize against existing dictators over factors such as political oppression and unemployment • Many of them use social media such as twitter and Facebook to organize their efforts

• Several long-time dictators are overthrown and democracies are established • Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, etc… • Other places are still experiencing conflict today due to the political vacuum left in place

Syrian Civil War • During the Arab Spring, Syria erupts into civil war between forces loyal to the dictator Bashar al-Assad and those who want to overthrow him • Civil war is still ongoing an hundreds of thousands have been killed • In 2013 an al-Qaeda fighter in Iraq named Abu Bakr al. Baghdadi creates ISIS and sends fighters into the Syrian Civil War

Rise of ISIS • Al-Baghdadi uses his recruits to begin taking control of land in the war-torn areas of Iraq and Syria beginning in 2013 • Also begin controlling oil-fields which bring in huge amounts of money to fund operations • ISIS stands for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria • Begin recruiting thousands of soldiers from across the disaffected Muslim populations of the Middle East and Europe • Use a powerful propaganda machine and social media to recruit members

Goals of ISIS • Create a world-wide caliphate (Islamic Government) and establish Islam as the supreme form of government for all Muslims around the world • Leader claims to be a direct descendent of Muhammad which gives him legitimacy to lead the caliph • Propaganda has influenced Muslims around the world to join him • Ultimate goal is to wage the great war against all non. Muslims around the world that they believe was predicted in Muhammad’s teachings • This is why they have carried out attacks not just in the Middle East, but in Europe and the U. S.

ISIS Terrorist Attacks • Many, many more attacks have occurred and killed huge numbers across the Middle East, but the ones that target European and US civilians have received the most coverage. 1. Paris Attacks - November 2015 • Gunmen attack restaurant and nightclub in Paris killing 130 and wounding 400 2. San Bernardino Shootings – December 2015 • Husband wife attack a government center in California killing 14 and injuring 22 • Not directly tied to ISIS, but influenced by ideas and carried out based on ISIS beliefs 3. Brussels Airport Attack – March 2016 • Three suicide bombers in Belgium kill 32 at the airport and train station in Belgium’s capital 4. Pulse Nightclub Shooting – June 2016 • Omar Mateen, a 29 -year-old security guard, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in a terrorist attack/hate crime inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida 5. Bastille Day Attack (Nice, France) – June 2016 6. Berlin Christmas Market – December 2016 7. Ariana Grande Concert (Manchester, England) – May 2017