GS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Politics Of Iraq, Islamic Extremism, Arab Spring
Document Summary
Understanding isis/al qaeda: geopolitics and the emergence of islamic extremist groups. Motivations: tapping into deep vein of resentment, disillusionment, and disenfranchisement" (haykel) Perception of cultural, economic and military onslaught" against muslims by the west (including israel) Treatment of the palestinians, invasions of iraq/afghanistan. The authoritarian and repressive nature of governments across the arab world. Same concern expressed by arab spring movements: aq/isis offering fantasy vision of renewed power and glory: return to fundamentals" of. The rise of al qaeda: geopolitical developments: The arab oil embargo (finances): middle east had a lot of cash and they were now about to finance resources like they had never before. The iranian revolution (ideology): ideological merging of islam and the state. The soviet invasion of afghanistan (motivation): westerners occupying muslim land and needing to be removed. Larger cultural political onslaught that led to the rise of hatred against the west: osama bin laden"s vision:
