Why are We going to War Why are We going to War with Syria?with Syria?

Someone who graduated from prestigious Someone who graduated from prestigious and school involved in athletics told me he and school involved in athletics told me he stopped majoring in sociology because his stopped majoring in sociology because his classes were filled with football players. classes were filled with football players. What does that tell you about him? His What does that tell you about him? His society?society?

• SociologySociology: the study of human groups : the study of human groups and societies.and societies.

• Sociological ImaginationSociological Imagination: Using : Using imagination to frame questions in terms of imagination to frame questions in terms of aspects of a society.aspects of a society.

• What if he had said cheerleaders?What if he had said cheerleaders?• Rocket scientists?Rocket scientists?• Stereotyping: Good or bad?Stereotyping: Good or bad?

Your self Your self

• Impression managementImpression management: showing your : showing your preferred self.preferred self.

• Social SelfSocial Self: image you have in your mind about : image you have in your mind about yourself, created by reactions of others.yourself, created by reactions of others.

• Generalized otherGeneralized other: an imaginary person who : an imaginary person who you bounce internal thoughts off of, to determine you bounce internal thoughts off of, to determine how you will be percieved.how you will be percieved.

• Social IdentitySocial Identity: characteristics attributed to you : characteristics attributed to you by others, what others think you are. (changes)by others, what others think you are. (changes)

• Homework: catch your generalized other.Homework: catch your generalized other.

• Countries not invaded by BritainCountries not invaded by Britain

Where Google Street View Where Google Street View availableavailable

• Countries that don’t use the metric Countries that don’t use the metric systemsystem

Middle East TimelineMiddle East Timeline

• 2000 B.C. 2000 B.C. Judaism establishedJudaism established• 0-33 0-33 Jesus Born crucified in Jesus Born crucified in

JerusalemJerusalem• 7070 Romans expel Jews from Palestine, diaspora Romans expel Jews from Palestine, diaspora

begins. begins. Christinaity gets a foothold in Roman Christinaity gets a foothold in Roman Empire.Empire.

• 300300 Constantine makes Constantine makes Christianity ok, Christianity ok, Roman moves to ConstantinopleRoman moves to Constantinople

• 400 400 Theodius makes Christianity of Theodius makes Christianity of Roman/Byzantium empireRoman/Byzantium empire

• 300-600 300-600 Syria “heart” of Christian M.E.Syria “heart” of Christian M.E.• 600 600 Islam established in MeccaIslam established in Mecca• 680680 Battle of Karbala, Sunni/Shiite splitBattle of Karbala, Sunni/Shiite split• 610-700610-700 Islam Spread from Spain to C. AsiaIslam Spread from Spain to C. Asia

AssuraAssura

• 10001000 Christian Kings try to retake Christian Kings try to retake Jerusalem. Al Aqsa MassacreJerusalem. Al Aqsa Massacre

• 1300-1900 1300-1900 Ottoman Ottoman TurksTurks (capture) (capture) capture entire Middle East capture entire Middle East rule from Istanbul (Constantinople)rule from Istanbul (Constantinople)

• 18001800 Britain begins the domination Britain begins the domination of entire worldof entire world

• 18001800 Wahabbi uprising against Wahabbi uprising against OttomansOttomans

• 18801880 Capitulations:Capitulations: Britain begin takeover of Britain begin takeover of Ottoman Middle East. Suez Canal builtOttoman Middle East. Suez Canal built

Topkapi Palace: OttomansTopkapi Palace: Ottomans

• 19181918 Britain reneges on promises, Britain reneges on promises, France and Britain France and Britain

divide up divide up Middle East.Middle East.

Losses of Ottoman Empire to Losses of Ottoman Empire to Europeans, notice no nation Europeans, notice no nation statesstates

• 19481948“Independence” of Middle “Independence” of Middle East begins, Israel established East begins, Israel established

(Britain again reneges on (Britain again reneges on promises), dictators promises), dictators

insertedinserted

• 19521952U.S. and Britain orchestrates U.S. and Britain orchestrates coup in Iran, deposes coup in Iran, deposes

democratically elected Prime democratically elected Prime Minister, inserts ShahMinister, inserts Shah

Europeans draw up the M.E.Europeans draw up the M.E.

Middle East ReimaginedMiddle East Reimagined

To give you an example of To give you an example of ethnic complexity of region ethnic complexity of region (Pakistan)(Pakistan)

• 1967 Most important of several 1967 Most important of several wars of Arab world against wars of Arab world against

Israel, Israel trounces Israel, Israel trounces them, them, annexes the West annexes the West Bank and Bank and JerusalemJerusalem

• 1979 1979 Most important year in Most important year in current World History.current World History.

• Soviets invade Afghanistan (beginning of end)Soviets invade Afghanistan (beginning of end)• Iran-Contra ScandalIran-Contra Scandal• Sadam Hussein takes power in IraqSadam Hussein takes power in Iraq• Ayatollah Khomeni takes power in IranAyatollah Khomeni takes power in Iran• Iran Hostages takenIran Hostages taken• Iran-Iraq War begins (1980)Iran-Iraq War begins (1980)• Civil Wars in Central America rage (El SalvadorCivil Wars in Central America rage (El Salvador

Guatemala, Nicaragua) changing the demographics Guatemala, Nicaragua) changing the demographics of many American cities, including Arlington Va.of many American cities, including Arlington Va.

1990s1990s Genocide in Rwanda, Genocide in Rwanda, Serbia against BosniansSerbia against Bosnians

• 1992 1992 First Gulf War: us invades First Gulf War: us invades Iraq to “liberate Kuwait” and Iraq to “liberate Kuwait” and American oil. Troops left in American oil. Troops left in Islamic “Holy Land,” with Islamic “Holy Land,” with

women, infuriates Wahabbi women, infuriates Wahabbi extremistsextremists

• 19931993 11stst World Trade Center World Trade Center bombing, by “blind Sheik”bombing, by “blind Sheik”

• 20012001 22ndnd World Trade Center bombing World Trade Center bombing• 20012001 U.S. invades AfghanistanU.S. invades Afghanistan• 20032003 U.S. invades Iraq again and deposes U.S. invades Iraq again and deposes

Sunni dictator, Saddam Hussein.Sunni dictator, Saddam Hussein.

Visualizing Population Visualizing Population densitydensity

World divided by 7 Billion World divided by 7 Billion PopPop

Water conflictWater conflict

Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism

Dennis Rodman: Consider Dennis Rodman: Consider me for Nobel Peace Prizeme for Nobel Peace Prize

Bashir Al Assad

Asma al Assad

Tribal ApesTribal Apes

• Evolved in small bands that rarely saw Evolved in small bands that rarely saw strangers.strangers.

• Strangers represented danger: (pit Strangers represented danger: (pit bulls)bulls)

• In group/out group bias.In group/out group bias.

• Schemas: tendency to categorize by Schemas: tendency to categorize by known information. The less we know known information. The less we know the more we stereotype individuals.the more we stereotype individuals.

Ethnic GroupEthnic Group

• A group sharing a common and A group sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language distinctive culture, religion, language and/or sense of their history.and/or sense of their history.

• In Syria:In Syria:– 90% Arabs 90% Arabs – 10% Kurds10% Kurds

Syrian Religious GroupsSyrian Religious Groups

• Sunni 74%Sunni 74%

• Shias 2% *Shias 2% *

• Alawais 11% *Alawais 11% *

• Christian 10% *Christian 10% *

• Druze 3% *Druze 3% *

Nations that Support AssadNations that Support Assad

Iran Iran

• RussiaRussia

• Hezbollah: nation w/o a state. Shiite Hezbollah: nation w/o a state. Shiite militant group in Southern Lebanon, militant group in Southern Lebanon, supported and funded by Iran. What supported and funded by Iran. What if they get chemical weapons?if they get chemical weapons?

From 400-600 a.d.From 400-600 a.d.

• The Christian Church reigned from The Christian Church reigned from Constantinople-(Istanbul)-Byzantine Constantinople-(Istanbul)-Byzantine EmpireEmpire

• Syria was the heartbeat of Syria was the heartbeat of Christendom.Christendom.

• Christianity made up of many ethnic Christianity made up of many ethnic groups.groups.

Mohammed develops new Mohammed develops new philosophy/Religion-600 A.D. in philosophy/Religion-600 A.D. in Saudi Arabia.Saudi Arabia.• Around 600 a.d. Mohammed was born in Mecca and later moved to Around 600 a.d. Mohammed was born in Mecca and later moved to

Medina….the two most holy sites in Islam. These cities are in Medina….the two most holy sites in Islam. These cities are in western Saudi Arabia.western Saudi Arabia.

• This is the Muslim holy landThis is the Muslim holy land that Osama wanted us out of. that Osama wanted us out of.

He established the religion Islam.He established the religion Islam.Believers believe he is a prophet.Believers believe he is a prophet.

• Believers believe that the Koran is the literal word from Allah/God Believers believe that the Koran is the literal word from Allah/God that word was revealed to himthat word was revealed to him

• The period of The period of RamadanRamadan commemorates the month of its writing commemorates the month of its writing• Shariah LawShariah Lawis based on the is based on the Hadith, or pathHadith, or path::

– Koran and its interpretationKoran and its interpretation– What Mohammed taught and the examples of he and his immediate close What Mohammed taught and the examples of he and his immediate close

followers behavior.followers behavior.– Provides for the basis of all human behavior.Provides for the basis of all human behavior.

Shiites vs SunnisShiites vs Sunnis

• Upon Mohammed’s death a schism Upon Mohammed’s death a schism developed between two sets of followers developed between two sets of followers that remains:that remains:– SunnisSunnis believe that the caliphs, or close believe that the caliphs, or close

followers of Mohammed, who knew him best, followers of Mohammed, who knew him best, were the rightful leaders of the religion.were the rightful leaders of the religion.

– ShiitesShiites believe that Ali, cousin of believe that Ali, cousin of Mohammed, married to Mohammed’s Mohammed, married to Mohammed’s daughter, should be the leader as he carried daughter, should be the leader as he carried the the prophets blood asprophets blood as does his descendants. does his descendants.• Ali did become the fourth Caliph.Ali did become the fourth Caliph.

Umyed Dynasty followed, with Umyed Dynasty followed, with the Caliphates conquering from the Caliphates conquering from Spain to Central Asia. Began Spain to Central Asia. Began 632-42632-42• Ended Christian domination of region of Ended Christian domination of region of

Middle East.Middle East.

• Most Muslims were no longer ethnically Most Muslims were no longer ethnically from the Middle East, but increasingly from the Middle East, but increasingly central Asian.central Asian.

• Arab is a language group not an ethnic Arab is a language group not an ethnic group, although there is overlap.group, although there is overlap.

• Islam made up of many ethnic groups and Islam made up of many ethnic groups and family groups and clans.family groups and clans.

Battle of Karbala: Calaphates Battle of Karbala: Calaphates destroy followers of Alidestroy followers of Ali

• HusseinHussein, Ali’s son, went to attack a , Ali’s son, went to attack a caliphate in 680 and lost, caliphate in 680 and lost, – All his men were killed in battle in All his men were killed in battle in

Karbala, and are seen as martyrs.Karbala, and are seen as martyrs.

• The Holy day of The Holy day of Asura,Asura, where you where you see Shiites self-flagellating, see Shiites self-flagellating, commemorates that battle.commemorates that battle.– Karbala became a holy city to Shiites. Karbala became a holy city to Shiites.

Smack Dab in the Middle of Smack Dab in the Middle of IraqIraq

Karbala-

Iran

Shiite Iraq

Sunni Iraq

Kurdish Iraq

Mosque at KarbalaMosque at Karbala

Shia holiday of Assura Shia holiday of Assura commemorates battle at commemorates battle at Karbala and Husain’s Karbala and Husain’s martyrdom martyrdom

AssuraAssura

DifferencesDifferences

• Because of the Because of the direct lineage of Ayatollahs direct lineage of Ayatollahs to Mohammedto Mohammed– Shiites will worship at shrines to various Shiites will worship at shrines to various

martyrs and Imams who have died.martyrs and Imams who have died.

• Conservative Sunnis see that as Conservative Sunnis see that as sacrilege as they believe only God sacrilege as they believe only God should be worshiped, therefore should be worshiped, therefore Shiites and Alawhites are HERETICS.Shiites and Alawhites are HERETICS.

The 12The 12thth Imam Imam

• Thought by some Shiites to be missing or Thought by some Shiites to be missing or hidden (occultation) and will return. When hidden (occultation) and will return. When he does the judgment will be upon us. he does the judgment will be upon us.

• Very similar to the second coming in Very similar to the second coming in Christianity and the coming of the Messiah Christianity and the coming of the Messiah in Judaismin Judaism

• Sunni’s don’t believeSunni’s don’t believe the 12 the 12thth Imam is Imam is the Mahdi, he has not been born yet. Sort the Mahdi, he has not been born yet. Sort of like the difference between Jews and of like the difference between Jews and Christians and the Messiah.Christians and the Messiah.

• Shiites have AyatollahsShiites have Ayatollahs who are descendants of who are descendants of AliAli– Therefore their Koranic interpretations are divine Therefore their Koranic interpretations are divine

through Mohammed.through Mohammed.– SunnisSunnis have mullahs have mullahs who are just learned layman. who are just learned layman.

• Ayatollah are religious and political Ayatollah are religious and political authorities, .authorities, .

• Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq is probably the most, at Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq is probably the most, at least one of the most, revered of the Ayatollahs least one of the most, revered of the Ayatollahs and may be keeping Shiites from responding to and may be keeping Shiites from responding to Sunni mosque attacks in Iraq.Sunni mosque attacks in Iraq.

AnimosityAnimosity

• Between the different sects have occurred Between the different sects have occurred throughout history, with throughout history, with – Sunnis believing that Shiites were responsible Sunnis believing that Shiites were responsible

for allowing Mongols to invade the Arab world, for allowing Mongols to invade the Arab world, and being co-conspirators with the U.S. in and being co-conspirators with the U.S. in occupying the holy places of Islamoccupying the holy places of Islam

• Shiites have been the subject of Shiites have been the subject of persecution in the Muslim worldpersecution in the Muslim world..– The idea of conservative Sunnis connecting The idea of conservative Sunnis connecting

with Shiites (Iran) is unlikely.with Shiites (Iran) is unlikely.

Followers of Fatimah Followers of Fatimah (Mohammed’s daughter) and (Mohammed’s daughter) and AliAli• Shiites (Shia) about 15% of all Muslims, Shiites (Shia) about 15% of all Muslims,

predominately in Iran and Iraq where predominately in Iran and Iraq where they are a majority population.they are a majority population.

• Alawiites: small sect, makes up 12% of Alawiites: small sect, makes up 12% of Syrian population. They are the Syrian population. They are the ethnic/religious power in Syria.ethnic/religious power in Syria.

• Druze: mystical sect in Southern Syria.Druze: mystical sect in Southern Syria.

• Ayatollah Ruhollah Ayatollah Ruhollah KhomeiniKhomeini :Orginial leader of the :Orginial leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, led the Islamic Republic of Iran, led the insurrection against the Shah.insurrection against the Shah.

Current Supreme leader of Current Supreme leader of Iran: Calls the shotsIran: Calls the shots

•Ayatollah Ali Ayatollah Ali KhameneiKhamenei

ShiitesShiites

• Shiites make up about 15% of Islamic Shiites make up about 15% of Islamic world and world and – They are only a majority in They are only a majority in Iran and Iran and

Iraq.Iraq.

• Significant populations in Significant populations in – Southern Lebanon (Bekka valley, Hezbollah), Southern Lebanon (Bekka valley, Hezbollah),

Syria, and Pakistan. (a potential ring around the Syria, and Pakistan. (a potential ring around the Middle East.Middle East.

Shiites’ ideas of govt vs Shiites’ ideas of govt vs SunniSunni• Sunnis tend to believe that a Sunnis tend to believe that a

government’s main job is to make the government’s main job is to make the nation safe for Islam to flourish.nation safe for Islam to flourish.

• Oppression if favorable to civil unrestOppression if favorable to civil unrest..– So to conservative Sunnis autocratic ruleSo to conservative Sunnis autocratic rule might might

not be a bad thing, as long as they keep the not be a bad thing, as long as they keep the society safe for Islam.society safe for Islam.

– Personal rights are less important than Personal rights are less important than communal rightscommunal rights

Shia view of governmentShia view of government

• For For Shiites there is no separation Shiites there is no separation between Mosque and State, between Mosque and State, – It would be absurd, government and civil It would be absurd, government and civil

life are the same, as Ayatollah’s word is life are the same, as Ayatollah’s word is divine.divine.

• As would democracy. Why would you As would democracy. Why would you listen to the people, when you have a listen to the people, when you have a semi-divine leader already?semi-divine leader already?

CaveatCaveat

• These are VERY broad brush These are VERY broad brush descriptions and beliefs within Islam descriptions and beliefs within Islam vary widely, as they do in vary widely, as they do in Christianity, from very literal to more Christianity, from very literal to more modernistic. modernistic.

• I am not religious scholar.I am not religious scholar.

Hezbollah:Hezbollah: armed to the teeth armed to the teeth with Iranian missles, on Israel’s with Iranian missles, on Israel’s northern border.northern border.

1000 ad. Crusades1000 ad. Crusades

• Christian Kings sent troops to plunder Christian Kings sent troops to plunder and regain Holy Land/and regain Holy Land/

• Jerusalem Holy to all of the big 3Jerusalem Holy to all of the big 3

• Al Aqsa martyrs.Al Aqsa martyrs.

• Left behind Christians when expelled.Left behind Christians when expelled.

• Created a sense of animosity between Created a sense of animosity between the two biggest religions of the West.the two biggest religions of the West.

Syria was conquered by Syria was conquered by Ottoman (Sunni) Empire for 6 Ottoman (Sunni) Empire for 6 centuries or so. Beginning centuries or so. Beginning around 1300 A.D.around 1300 A.D.So, people of Middle East including Syria So, people of Middle East including Syria

were oppressed from then on by outside were oppressed from then on by outside ethnic groups.ethnic groups.

Ottomans used outside governors to Ottomans used outside governors to prevent unrest.prevent unrest.

Ottomans chose favorite ethnic groups, Ottomans chose favorite ethnic groups, often minorities to control regions.often minorities to control regions.

Ottoman Decline: European Ottoman Decline: European ascentascent

• During World War 1, the Ottomans fought During World War 1, the Ottomans fought on the wrong side and all their territory on the wrong side and all their territory was divided up among the European was divided up among the European powers. (Britain and France).powers. (Britain and France).

• Unfortunately, Britain had promised rule to Unfortunately, Britain had promised rule to both Arabs and France if they were to win, both Arabs and France if they were to win, beginning of intense resentment of Arab beginning of intense resentment of Arab countries to European imperialists.countries to European imperialists.

• France got the Mandate there until France got the Mandate there until 1946. 1946. – Put Alawites (sect of Shitte) in power.Put Alawites (sect of Shitte) in power.– Sunnis were nationalists and Pan Sunnis were nationalists and Pan

Arabists, so the French wanted someone Arabists, so the French wanted someone else to be in control.else to be in control.

– Sunnis resentedSunnis resented

As with all of the newly freed As with all of the newly freed post WW II colonies, Europeans post WW II colonies, Europeans (U.S.) installed dictators to (U.S.) installed dictators to control the new countries and control the new countries and to keep the Commies out.to keep the Commies out.

Bashir al AssadBashir al Assad

• Wasn’t suppose to take over his bro Wasn’t suppose to take over his bro was, but he died in car accident.was, but he died in car accident.

• He was an eye doctor who trained in He was an eye doctor who trained in lived in Britain. lived in Britain.

• He was originally hoped to be a He was originally hoped to be a reformer. That lasted about a year.reformer. That lasted about a year.

Shiite regions in whiteShiite regions in white

Sunni uprising against Assad, Sunni uprising against Assad, and Alawites and their Alliesand Alawites and their Allies

• Triggered by the “Arab Spring”Triggered by the “Arab Spring”

• Assad’s response to the peaceful Assad’s response to the peaceful uprising led to the two year shooting uprising led to the two year shooting war. war.

• About 50% of rebels are Jihadists About 50% of rebels are Jihadists many of whom are foreign fighters.many of whom are foreign fighters.

Syrian Gassing Victims

Things Arabs and Persians Things Arabs and Persians (Iran) resent about the West(Iran) resent about the West• CrusadesCrusades• Capitulations: European Economic domination.Capitulations: European Economic domination.• Promises broken. (2)Promises broken. (2)• BP oil in IranBP oil in Iran• Israel: imperial enclaveIsrael: imperial enclave• Deposing of Mosadiq in IranDeposing of Mosadiq in Iran• Dictators of 60,70,80 Dictators of 60,70,80 • Arab Israeli Wars (U.S. support for Israel)Arab Israeli Wars (U.S. support for Israel)• Invasion of Iraq Pt 1Invasion of Iraq Pt 1• Invasion of Iraq Pt 2Invasion of Iraq Pt 2• Western Culture in GeneralWestern Culture in General

•

• Conflict theoryConflict theory

• Sects/CultsSects/Cults

• Cultural relativismCultural relativism

• CultureCulture

• NormNorm

• DemographicsDemographics

• DiasporaDiaspora

• Ethnic CleansingEthnic Cleansing

• EthnocentrismEthnocentrism

• Generalized otherGeneralized other

• Impression managementImpression management

• In group/out group biasIn group/out group bias

• Linguistic relativityLinguistic relativity

• Nations w/o stateNations w/o state

• RaceRace

• Secular thinkingSecular thinking

• Social identitySocial identity

• Social SelfSocial Self

• Power elitePower elite

• SociologySociology

• TerrorismTerrorism

• Ethnic groupEthnic group