The Middle East and the Greater Middle East

Kingdom of Bahrain

• Bahrain is the Persian Gulf. It possess 33 islands.

• It surrounded by pro western countries in the Middle East.

• Its religious affiliations are influenced by Iran.

Arab Republic of Egypt

• It is considered a transcontinental country as its land allows one to walk across to the next continent, Asia.

• The Nile is the world’s longest river but Brazil and Peru contest this.

Islamic Republic of Iran

• In 1935, the name Persia was changed to Iran; this was done by the Shah of Iran.

• Iranians are not Arab and are not Sunni Muslims; they are Shi'a Muslims.

Republic of Iraq

• Iraq is also called Mesopotamia, land between the rivers.

• Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was an Islamic socialist society with ties to the Soviet Union.

• Iraq has importance to Iran religiously and economically.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

• Jordan is known as the Hashemite Kingdom.

• Hashem was the great grandfather of the Prophet Mohammad.

• The royal family of Jordan is said to be the descendants of Hashem.

State of Kuwait

• Kuwait is oil rich and maintains a peaceful relationship with its neighbors and the United States.

• Iraq’s invasion, motivated by the oil reserves and refineries, allowed Saddam Hussein to continue his war efforts and enrich his nation’s economy.

Lebanese Republic

• After WWI, the Ottoman Empire lost the area and it was given to France.

• Byblos, a city in Lebanon, is the oldest city in the world which has a continuous population.

• The term Bible, originates from this city’s name.

The Sultanate of Oman

• Oman has a strong alliance with Britain but never became one of its colonies.

• The former Sultan, who maintained good relations with Britain (the West),was overthrown by his son—the current Sultan.

Palestine

• Many Palestinians live and work in Israel; many live in Jordan.

• Palestine has had many rulers including the Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Egyptians, Assyrians, Canaanites and Israelis.

The State of Qatar

• Qatar is a nation that did not join the United Arab Emirates.

• It has been ruled by an absolute monarchy since the mid 1800s, one family. The Al Thani family has been the only family to rule.

Saudi Arabia

• Geographically, Saudi Arabia is the largest country is the Middle East.

• There is neither freedom of religion nor support/protection of other houses of worship in the Kingdom.

• Other religions are not permitted.

Syrian Arab Republic

• Syria is a dominate force in Lebanese politics.

• The Syrian army has bases in Lebanon.

• Lebanon also had free elections in which Hezbollah had come into power—Hezbollah is an anti Israeli religious/militia group.

Republic of Turkey

• After the Ottoman Empire collapsed in WWI, Turkey was created. It is named after its founder, Mustafa Kemel Ataturk.

• He westernized the nation and took it away from its strong historic Islamic past—he wanted to “modernize” the nation.

United Arab Emirates

• The UAE comprises of seven absolute monarchies.

• They are held together in a Federation.

• The president is the military supreme commander and coordinates the development of the UAE.

Republic of Yemen

• Yemen, Al Yaman means the South.

• In 1990, South Yemen was the only Islamic nation in the world that was Marxist—North Yemen was pro western.

• They voted to unify the nation in 1990 as sweeping changes of democracy occurred in Eastern Europe which impacted Yemen.

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

• ISIS• ISIL• ISIS and ISIL are territories;

however, an extreme Islamic group controls the area and uses ISIS as a moniker.

• Extremist affiliates control other areas outside of the Levant.

Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS)- Sunni Muslim Ultra conservative, opposes all religions and the West Goal: Caliphate (Islamic state- IS) in Levant and Iraq.

Syria- Shi’a (Alawite) Muslim Backed by Iran (Shi’a) US does not want to assist, some rebels are our enemies.

Iran- Shi’a Muslim Wants nuclear capability. US concessions for Iran to get nuclear capability.

Iraq- Sunni Muslim US backed government, wants more help from US. ISIS home base, opposes Iraqi government.

Khat in Yemen

Cedars of Lebanon

Crowns of Egypt

Red and Black keffiyehs(Scarves)

Israel and Egypt Peace Accord

Sultan of OmanQaboos Bin Said Al Said

Syrian Flags