Middle East Unit Test

The differences between the two most popular Muslim groups, Shia and Sunni, stem from their beliefs about the leadership of the Muslim community. The Shia group believes that the leader, or Imam, must be a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad. On the other hand, the Sunni group believes that the leader can be chosen from the community without the requirement of being a descendant. These differences in beliefs have led to various historical and theological disagreements between the two groups.

The PLO stands for the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which is an organization that was formed in 1964 with the goal of representing the Palestinian people and their struggle for self-determination and independence. The PLO has been involved in various political and military activities aimed at achieving these objectives, including negotiating with Israel and engaging in armed resistance.

The correct answer suggests that terrorists commit senseless acts of violence because they believe their religion mandates it and they aim to intimidate another country or gain control. This explanation highlights the ideological motivations behind terrorist actions, as they may perceive their acts as serving a higher purpose or advancing their cause. Additionally, the desire to intimidate and gain control implies a strategic objective in their violence.

Intifada is an Arabic word that means "shaking off". It is commonly used to refer to a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. The term gained prominence during the late 20th century when Palestinians protested and resisted Israeli control in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Intifada was characterized by mass demonstrations, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience. The term "shaking off" symbolizes the Palestinians' desire to free themselves from oppression and regain control of their land and rights.

The lack of an international definition of terrorism is due to the fact that it is open to interpretation by each country. Different nations may have varying perspectives on what constitutes terrorism, making it difficult to reach a consensus and establish a universal definition.

Osama Bin Ladin is the correct answer because he was the leader of the notorious terrorist organization, Al Qaeda. He was responsible for planning and orchestrating several major terrorist attacks, including the September 11 attacks in the United States. Bin Laden was the founder and head of Al Qaeda, which gained global notoriety for its extremist ideology and violent actions. He was pursued by international authorities for many years and was eventually killed in a raid by US special forces in 2011.

The correct answer is Gaza, the West Bank, and Golan Heights. These territories are considered the most popular in Israel due to their historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance. Gaza is a coastal strip along the Mediterranean Sea, known for its Palestinian population and ongoing conflicts. The West Bank is a landlocked territory with a predominantly Palestinian population, and it is a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Golan Heights is a mountainous region in the northeast, which was occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War and has strategic importance due to its proximity to Syria.

Exodus refers to a journey undertaken by a large group of people in order to escape from a hostile environment. This term is commonly used to describe mass migrations or movements of people who are fleeing from war, persecution, or other dangerous situations. It implies a collective effort to seek safety and refuge in a new location. The word "exodus" is often associated with historical events such as the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt or the migration of refugees during times of conflict.

The explanation for the given answer is that both Jews and Arabs have religious claims to the land. The Jews consider the western wall to be their holy site, while the Arabs consider the dome of the rock to be their holy site. This indicates that both religions have historical and religious connections to the land, which contributes to the ongoing conflict over ownership and control of the territory.

Zionism refers to the policy of establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine. It is not related to the belief in one god or many gods, or the belief in one ruler. The correct answer highlights the specific aim of Zionism, which is the creation of a homeland for Jews in Palestine.

Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait for several reasons. Firstly, he wanted to pay off the war debt that Iraq had accumulated during the Iran-Iraq War. Additionally, Saddam believed that Kuwait should be a part of Iraq and saw their independence as a violation of OPEC regulations. Another motive for the invasion was to gain control over Kuwait's vast oil reserves, which would have given Iraq a significant share of the world's oil supply. Lastly, Saddam aimed to split Kuwait and integrate it into Iraq, further expanding his power and influence in the region.

Yasser Arafat is the correct answer because he was the leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Arafat played a significant role in advocating for Palestinian self-determination and independence. He led the PLO from 1969 until his death in 2004 and was recognized internationally as the voice of the Palestinian people in their struggle for statehood.

Islam splits into two main sections: Sunnis and Shiites. These divisions emerged after the death of Prophet Muhammad, as different groups had differing opinions on who should succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community. Sunnis believe that the leader should be chosen through consensus, while Shiites believe that leadership should be passed down through the family lineage of Muhammad. These divisions have led to different religious practices, traditions, and interpretations of Islamic teachings, but both Sunnis and Shiites consider themselves to be Muslims.

In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran primarily because they wanted revenge and to settle border disputes. The two countries had a long history of tension and conflicts, and Iraq saw an opportunity to take advantage of Iran's weakened state after the Islamic Revolution. Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq at the time, sought revenge for previous conflicts and wanted to assert his control over disputed territories, such as the Shatt al-Arab waterway. This invasion led to a long and devastating war between the two countries, lasting for eight years and resulting in significant loss of life and resources.

The answer correctly states that the Jews were happy with the partition as they gained some land, while the Arabs were unhappy because they ended up with less land. This reaction reflects the differing perspectives and conflicting interests of both groups in relation to the partition. The Jews saw it as an opportunity for a homeland, while the Arabs felt that their land was being taken away from them. This ultimately led to tensions and conflicts between the two sides.

The United States supports Israel.

Before 1979, Iran was under the rule of Shah Pavlavi.

The Coalition forces referred to in this question were a group of countries that formed a military alliance to fight against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. The United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom were key members of this coalition. They joined forces to launch the Gulf War in 1990-1991, with the objective of liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation and removing Saddam Hussein from power.

Ayatollah Khomeini, not Ayotollah Kumani, was the Shiite Muslim who sought control of Iran in 1979. Khomeini was a prominent religious leader who led the Iranian Revolution and established an Islamic republic in Iran, overthrowing the monarchy led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Khomeini's leadership marked a significant shift in Iran's political landscape, as he implemented a strict interpretation of Islamic law and consolidated power within the Shiite clergy. His rule had a lasting impact on Iran's domestic and foreign policies, shaping the country's trajectory in subsequent decades.

Jihad is a term used in Islam to refer to a holy war waged by Muslims. It is a concept that encompasses the struggle and effort to maintain and spread the religion of Islam. Jihad can be understood as a spiritual and physical struggle, which includes self-discipline, self-improvement, and defending the faith against any threats or oppression. It is important to note that Jihad does not promote violence or terrorism, as it is often misunderstood, but rather emphasizes the importance of personal growth and standing up for justice and righteousness.

Israel was not represented at the Camp David Accords because they were one of the main parties involved in the conflict that led to the negotiations. The Camp David Accords were aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establishing peace in the region. Therefore, Israel's involvement in causing the war made it inappropriate for them to be represented at the negotiations.

At the start of the Persian Gulf War, Iraq invaded Kuwait. This invasion, which began on August 2, 1990, was led by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who claimed that Kuwait was historically a part of Iraq and accused Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq sparked an international response, with a coalition of countries led by the United States launching Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 to liberate Kuwait and push back the Iraqi forces.

The Balfour Declaration was a promise made by the British government during World War I to support the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. It was issued in 1917 and played a significant role in the eventual creation of the state of Israel. The declaration stated that the British government viewed with favor the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, while also acknowledging the rights of the existing non-Jewish communities in the region. This policy aimed to gain the support of Jewish communities worldwide for the British war effort and to secure their assistance in the war.

Sadam is identified as a Sunni Muslim because he belongs to the Sunni branch of Islam. Sunni is one of the two major sects in Islam, with the other being Shiite. Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the Muslim population globally. This information suggests that Sadam follows the beliefs and practices associated with Sunni Islam.

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After the Gulf war, Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq. Despite the military defeat and international pressure, Saddam managed to hold onto his position as the President of Iraq. The war did not lead to his removal from office or the division of Iraq.

The outcome of the Oslo Accords of 1993 was that Israel accepted the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization). The Oslo Accords were a series of agreements between Israel and the PLO, aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It marked the first time that Israel officially recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people, and the PLO recognized Israel's right to exist. The accords established a framework for negotiations and the establishment of Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Persian Gulf war was fought for a duration of 100 hours.

Hydrogen is a promising new idea for powering automobiles because it is a clean and renewable source of energy. When hydrogen is used in fuel cells, it combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with water as the only byproduct. This makes hydrogen fuel cells more environmentally friendly compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Additionally, hydrogen can be produced from various sources, such as water and renewable energy, further enhancing its sustainability. Therefore, hydrogen is a viable option for powering automobiles in the future.

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