Reflection

Now that the semester has ended I have time to reflect. Looking back on the class I can say with authority I have gained tons of knowledge. There are always aspects that, once finished you wish you had done better on, but overall I had a great experience with my class. In the space of a semester I went from knowing essentially nothing about the middle east to being  well versed. More important than just facts however, I have have picked up the ability to intemperate material particularly in the world of International relations, and detect perspective. This skill is increasingly useful as once learned you can apply it to nearly everything. It allows you to have a very different view than someone else on the same events without necessarily disagreeing with them. Opening my eyes to various perspectives on the same events has really shown me the complexity of nearly any issue, It also has shown how flexible history is to interpretation. This is a skill I picked up in lecture and practices in rifling through countless sources while attempting to write my paper on Iraqi Identity. This practice has enforced in me a life lesson of  being skeptical of conclusions reached in any work of history, poly sci, or International relations theory. I believe this skepticism is the most valuable attribute I have taken away from International Policies of the Middle East.

The Sunni Shi'a Split

The origins of the Sunni Shi'a spit are political. It all began with the death of Muhammad.

Ali

As founder of Islam he was the undisputed leader, however he had no sons. So the issue of continued leadership was thrown into question. His closes male relative was his son in law and ccousin Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib. Ali’s followers who believed he should lead the faith and become Caliph where the shi’a ali (followers of Ali). Now known as Shi'a. According to the Shi’a he was the only one with spiritual authority to succeed Muhammad. The Sunnis believed that the caliphate should go to the best politically ready to maintain the expanding Muslim empire. They backed Muhammad’s father-in-law Abu Bakr. After much argument Abu Bakr was named the first Caliph solidifying the two groups in difference of opinion. Ali 25 years later finally became caliphate, however he was assassinated, this shook the Shiite community and created more of a divide between the two sects. Today Sunni-make up approximately 80 percent of the Muslim population in the world. Shia-Shia Muslims account for approximately 15 percent of the total Muslim population in the world. In the end these differences stemmed from what was the seemingly small difference of opinion in the succession of Muhammad. This one disagreement created a huge political and social divide in the entire Arab world.

The Glory of Martyrdom

One of the most important aspects of Shi'a ideology is the glorification of martyrdom. Martyrdom appears in many forums in Islam, however the most significant example in Islamic history is with the lord of all martyrs. The legend started with Ali ibn the fourth Khalifa, and first "Imam",as a shi'i would refer him. Ali was the main founder of the Shi’a following and religion. After being passed up three times, Ali was final up for position as Khalifa. However his rite was contested by Mu ‘Awiya governor of Syria who also claimed rite to Khalifa. Shortly after Ali was murdered by Mu 'Awiya's men in a power grab. Mu ‘Awiay then appointed his own son Yazid his successor. After the hostile takeover by Mu ‘Awiya, and murder of his father, Hussein, Ali’s second son was astonished.  Hussein in answer to the call of the Shi’a in  Kufa began leavening to aid the Shi’a of Iraq in revolting against the Umayyad headed by Yazid. While traveling, Hussein, his family, and followers were killed in a skirmish with Yazid’s forces. They were buried in today’s Karbala in Iraq. These events led to Hussein being hailed as the ultimate martyr. This is because he did not start the fighting, he was only coming to the aid of his fathers supporters. He was since know as "sayyed al shohaha" (the lord of all martyrs). This tale was heavily utilized as a recruiting tool in the Iranian Revolution and was used in lots of propaganda, as shown in my previous propaganda post.

Here a captured Iranian soldier is executed. This harsh, brutal poster is accompanied by figures of Islamic scripture to seemingly glamorized death in the name of the Iranian cause. Figures such Hussein, who would accompany the executed solder into the glorious afterlife, as well as three headless men who represent fellow martyrs.

 

 http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/newkarbala.html

The Suez Crisis, and Canadian intervention

http://geography.howstuffworks.com/africa/the-suez-canal.htm

When the Suez Crisis erupted in 1956, the possibility for large scale violence was huge. In short the crisis was prompted by Nasser nationalizing the canal which was a huge blow against Britain and France power in the region. They decided a response was necessary and began planing military action. However without just cause, they conspired with Israel, another enemy of Nasser. Israel then launched an attack giving cause for France and Britain to send peace keeping troops. This created a war prone environment and is exactly when Canada stepped in. Britain and France are criticized for there so called peacekeeping force by the international community, and traditional alliances where thrown into jeopardy. For example the longstanding U.S U.K relationship was stressed. At this point In comes the amazing Canadian diplomat Lester Pearson. 

Lester Pearson

He proposes the replacement of french and British troops with the first actual UN peacekeeping force. He muscles the proposal through, and the insertion of these new troops calms the situation. Israel as well as Britain and France remove there troops and the situation stabilizes, at least until 1967 in the 6 day war.













http://www.canadahistory.com/sections/politics/Prime%20Ministers/Lester%20Pearson.html

Iranian Propaganda

Iranian Propaganda of the Iran Iraq war

The reasons countries go to war can be numerous and fiercely debated, however the reason people go to war is easier to pinpoint. Every soldier needs a case that can shape his identity and motivated him to fight. This cause can be easily found in artwork, recruitment, and propaganda of the region.


Many of the wartime posters and artwork glorified the solder and war. 

This poster displayed Iranian soldiers, of various military branches and ethnicity, valiantly marching to battle. Overlooking the soldiers is the image of Ayatollah Khomeini, who was the head of the Iranian revolution and leader of Iran. This picture seems to depict Khomeini in a benevolent guardian angel type role, also guiding the battle, and watching over his men.

 

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

Despite the previous image many posters, did not shy away from brutalities of war, but embraced them and emphasized the heroics of martyrdom and sacrifice.

 This picture shows a lone soldier staying vigilant. The green haze acknowledges the massive chemical attacks that where taking place, and helps to demonize the enemy Iraq for using such weapons.

  

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

  
Here a captured Iranian soldier is executed. This harsh, brutal poster is accompanied by figures of Islamic scripture to seemingly glamorized death in the name of the Iranian cause. Figures such as Imam Husayn, who would accompany the executed solder into the glorious afterlife, as well as three headless men who represent fellow martyrs.

 

 http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/newkarbala.html 

In addition to these two takes on capturing a could be soldiers will to fight there were also more generic propaganda. 

Here is a more generic wartime poster. Having various groups ethnicity’s and religious figures all calling for war, this shows a united Iraq unafraid and assured of victory.

 

 http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

This last poster I want to highlight shows a mousetrap, with a dead mouse, over the country of Iran.  This conveys a few ideas. First is paints Iraq as an antagonizing invader and aggressor of the war (the mouse).  Second it says that Iraq will easily be defeated by the defending and strong Iran.

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

Note: many of these posters have layers of meaning and are obviously up to interpretation, for many more posters, and art work, or a more in-depth look at any of the posters I put here. Follow any of the posted links or this one here.  http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/index.html