FUNDAMENTALISM & US POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

WARM UP Identify current or historic examples of US involvement (activity) in Middle Eastern issues or nations. Identify current or historic examples of US involvement (activity) in Middle Eastern issues or nations.

FUNDAMENTALISM Political & social movement promoting a return to traditional, or fundamental, interpretation of any religion. Political & social movement promoting a return to traditional, or fundamental, interpretation of any religion. Islamic Fundamentalism or “Political Islam” Islamic Fundamentalism or “Political Islam” Est. Shari’a law as foundation of government Est. Shari’a law as foundation of government Rid society of non-Islamic influence Rid society of non-Islamic influence Activity- Reading Activity- Reading

RELIGIOUSLY MOTIVATED TERRORISM World Gone Wrong World Gone Wrong Religion to cope & guide Religion to cope & guide Tool for social activism & poly change Tool for social activism & poly change Motivate & justify purpose Motivate & justify purpose No Other Option No Other Option Tried traditional channels for change, failed Tried traditional channels for change, failed Lack power, voice Lack power, voice Hopeless & frustrated Hopeless & frustrated Cosmic War Against Enemy Good vs Evil (God/Devil) Stakes so high, cause so virtuous = any means justify ends Symbolism & Violence Value to target & timing From “Responding to Terrorism: Challenges for Democracy”

ORIGINS  Islamic empire eclipsed, dominated, and exploited by West. Frustrated w/politics.  Frustration with rapid social & economic changes.  Western presence in Holy Lands, ME politics, perceived attack on Islam

ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM & VIOLENCE Most DO NOT ADVOCATE violence! Most DO NOT ADVOCATE violence! Terrorism as form of jihad Terrorism as form of jihad Seek to overthrow secular regimes & rulers they regard as un-Islamic Seek to overthrow secular regimes & rulers they regard as un-Islamic

KEY FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS What terror groups can you identify by name? What terror groups can you identify by name? Chart Chart Commonalities? Differences? Role in government?

IMPACT ON FOREIGN POLICY  US Concerns  Poly & econ stabilty  Terror attacks against Western Interests  “Islamaphobia”- Anti- Arab Anti-Muslim, sentiment born out of fear and ignorance

The Middle East and North Africa

CLICK TO VIEW Melani Cammett on US Interests in the Middle East Jo-Anne Hart on Iran’s role in the Middle EAst Lesson & Video Clips Courtesy : Choices “US Policy in the Middle East: Analyzing Political Cartoons” in Teaching with the News“US Policy in the Middle East: Analyzing Political Cartoons”

ACTIVITY: ANALYZING POLITICAL CARTOONS Step 1: Discuss techniques cartoonists use to convey an opinion on political, social, economic issues. Step 1: Discuss techniques cartoonists use to convey an opinion on political, social, economic issues. Step 2: Individually, then collectively as a class, analyze “Presidential Medals” Step 2: Individually, then collectively as a class, analyze “Presidential Medals” What are the techniques being used? What are the techniques being used? What is the message of the cartoon? What is the message of the cartoon? How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the Middle East? How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the Middle East?

ACTIVITY: ANALYZING POLITICAL CARTOONS Step 3: In groups of 3, analyze two additional cartoons. Each group will present a cartoon to the class. Step 3: In groups of 3, analyze two additional cartoons. Each group will present a cartoon to the class. Answer all the questions on the form. For your presentation think about… Answer all the questions on the form. For your presentation think about… What are the techniques being used? What are the techniques being used? What is the message of the cartoon? What is the message of the cartoon? How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the Middle East? How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the Middle East? Retitle the political cartoon based on the message Retitle the political cartoon based on the message Present each cartoon at the board, all cartoons follow in presentation. Present each cartoon at the board, all cartoons follow in presentation.

DRAW CONNECTIONS Techniques: How do cartoonists provide perspective on issues? What techniques were used in the cartoons? Which were most effective at getting point across? Were some easier to identify than others? Message: How do these relate to US policy in the region? Were we able to identify the message of each? What were the cartoonists trying to express? Are these favorable of unfavorable views of US foreign policy?

ACTIVITY Options Look over the 4 options for US Policy Look over the 4 options for US Policy Take the survey to assess your thoughts on the issues Take the survey to assess your thoughts on the issues Discuss what these options look like in policy Discuss what these options look like in policy Draft your own option for US policy in the ME Draft your own option for US policy in the ME Draw from existing or create your own. Draw from existing or create your own. Be specific Be specific Examples available for viewing on tables Examples available for viewing on tables

CLOSURE What is your opinion on current US policy in the Middle East? What is your opinion on current US policy in the Middle East? Are there any current issues/events that you think are important for the US to address at this time? Are there any current issues/events that you think are important for the US to address at this time?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This lesson was made possible in part by resources from Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with the News Lessons Egypt’s Uprising and After Mubarak. This lesson was made possible in part by resources from Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with the News Lessons Egypt’s Uprising and After Mubarak.