Iraq Q & A

Part I Questions: 

Short Response

1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a, and Sunnis live in Iraq?

Kurds:        The Kurds live in the mountainous region of Iraq called Kurdistan.  They are the majority in the north.                                Shi'a:  The Shi'a live in the south where most of Iraq's oil reserves are.                                        Sunnis: The Sunnis usually live in area's with less oil. All groups mix in near Baghdad.

2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?The Kurds and the Shi'a hold power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq.

3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?Iraq was thought to be rich in oil (important for military and civilian use) and Britain was a country poor in oil.

4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
pan-Arabists advocated for independence from the middle-east and severed ties with Britain. Some of the extremists supported Germany.
5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?Increase oil prices gave him money to provide free education, created a public health care system and reform the agricultural system. His organization of these changes made him more popular and powerful.

6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?During President Reagan's administration the U.S. remained neutral until in 1986 Iran became more aggressive in attacks against Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.  The U.S. gave Iraq military intelligence and American weapons as well as allowing Kuwaiti ships to sail under protection of the American flag with military escorts.

7. Why did President George H.W. Bush (1989-93) bring the ground portion of the First Persian Gulf War to a halt? List two reasons. 

a. Concern about consequences that would come with being in control of an unstable Iraq.

b. Did not want to destroy Iraq's army and Saddam Hussein.

Extended Response: 

8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?  The three major ethnic and religious groups in Iraq are the Kurds, the Shi'a and the Sunnis. Kurds seek independence from Iraq. Shi'a and Sunnis are both Arab but they are divided due to religious debates. Sunnis were in control of Iraq for most of its history but more recently the Shi'a have gained power. Sunnis support strong government control while the Shi'a emphasize social justice and individual morals. It is important to understand these differences because it gives a better understanding of the groups' motivations for wanting to gain power. It also gives more insight into the ethnic cleansing that occurs in Iraq and why there is so much hatred between the groups. Also it is important to distinguish the groups because if one were to gain control the actions they would take would be very different from the actions of another group. For example, the Shi'a want to resist U.S. dominance while the Kurds only want to become independent. 
Part II Questions: 
 
Short Response

9. What dangers did President George W. Bush (2001-09) say Iraq posed to the region and the world? Name two.

a. 
Iraq's alleged weapons program
b. 

Iraq's sponsorship of terrorism

10. What were the U.S. government's declared goals in sending troops to Iraq?

a. To end Saddam Hussein's regime and to uncover weapons of mass destruction.

b. To establish democracy in Iraq and transform the Middle East.

11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.

a. Many Iraqis are upset about the U.S. army remaining in Iraq.

b. Many Iraqis are distrustful of the new government.

Extended Response: 

12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)

Shi'a: 
The Shi'a aim to combat U.S. control as well as Sunni dominance as well as expand their own power as a political and military group in Iraq.
Sunni:

The Sunnis resist U.S. forces and fight for dominance with the Shi'a. Some join U.S. forces and combat al-Queda in Iraq. They are a purely military group.

Kurd:

The Kurd want to become a separate state from Iraq and gain Kurdish independence. They are a political/military group.

al Qaeda:

al-Queda is made up of both Sunnis and non-Iraqis. They are a military group focused on starting an Iraq civil war and ridding Iraq of the U.S.