1. Rise of Islamic Extremism
The Modern Middle East
Rise of Islamic Extremism
***NOTE – we might want to include a “disclaimer” on this slide that the information about Islamic Extremists only represents a fraction of Muslims around the world and the vast majority do no interpret the religion this way

2. Middle East After WWI
The Ottoman Empire after WWI was divided between France and Great Britain – essentially becoming colonies under the Mandate System (*question on final about this!)
It is during this period that oil production began to boom in the Middle East and gained extreme regional importance, especially to modern Western nations
In the small region of Palestine (historical/biblical homeland of Hebrews/Jews), Jewish immigrants increased causing tensions between Jews and Palestinians
Nationalist regional leaders during this time began to push for independence from Europeans

3. The Middle East Since WWII
End of WWII led to decolonization across the Middle East
Many places were taken over by dictators, military leaders, and Islamic religious leaders who seized power
The strict belief in Shiite and Sunni Islam and the wealth of the vast supplies of oil often complicated relations between the nations
1990 – Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait to seize oil
Prompts U.S. to lead an invasion to stop him (Persian Gulf War)

4. Soviet War in Afghanistan
When a communist uprising occurred in Afghanistan in the Soviet Union sent in its military in support
The U.S. supplied and funded the Afghan forces battling the Soviets known as the Mujahedeen
Young Osama bin Laden rises as a prominent leader
Upon the defeat of the Soviets, Afghanistan fell under the control of a strict Islamic government called the Taliban
Implemented Sharia Law across the country
VS.

5. Rise of al-Qaeda
Osama bin Laden and another Mujahedeen fighter Ayman al-Zawahiri created an organization based on an extreme interpretation of the Quran.
Al Qaeda claims to have two goals:
Establish a caliphate of Muslim control over Middle East
Remove all infidels (non- Muslims) from Muslim lands
I thought the map would provide an opportunity for historical recall – point out the former caliphates – what they want to reestablish

6. View U.S. and allies as enemies for supporting Israel
Begin using acts of terrorism against civilian targets in Western countries to create fear
1993 – Car bomb at World Trade Center
1998 – USS Cole bombed

7. 9/11 Attacks
September 11, 2001 al- Qaeda carries out the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history
Four airplanes are hijacked by al-Qaeda suicide terrorists
Crash two planes into the World Trade Center in New York
Crash third plane into the Pentagon building in D.C.

8. Fourth plane crashes into field in Pennsylvania when passengers fought back
Nearly 3,000 Americans killed in the attacks
U.S. responds by launching the Global War on Terror

9. War in Afghanistan
U.S. learns that Osama bin Laden was behind that attacks
The Taliban government of Afghanistan had been protecting him and allowing him to plan the attacks
U.S. responds by leading a NATO attack into Afghanistan in October 2001 to capture bin Laden and remove Taliban
Initially successful at ousting the Taliban and overseeing democratic elections, the war carried on as insurgents fought back until U.S. leaves in 2014
Nearly 2,500 U.S. soldiers killed

10. War in Iraq
In 2003 the U.S. led an invasion of Iraq based on two claims:
Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein was helping al-Qaeda
Iraq secretly had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
Like Afghanistan, the war was initially successful as the U.S. ousted Saddam and held democratic elections
Between 2003 and 2011 the U.S. battled an insurgency and still has troops present overseeing the Iraqi Army’s fight against extremists
Nearly 4,500 U.S. casualties
I thought this would be a good opportunity to mention how unpopular the war became as it dragged on – maybe compare it to Vietnam or something?

12. Rise of Islamic Extremism
The insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq led to the rise and spreading of extremist Islamic groups and beliefs

13. Groups such as al- Qaeda begin operating against U. S
Groups such as al- Qaeda begin operating against U.S. troops across the middle east
Bin Laden is killed by Navy SEALS in May 2011, but splinter groups of al-Qaeda carry on
Al-Qaeda in Iraq; al- Qaeda in Yemen

14. The Arab Spring
Beginning in the spring of a mass wave of demonstrations and uprisings spread across the Middle East
Students and others organize against existing dictators over factors such as political oppression and unemployment
Many of them use social media such as twitter and Facebook to organize their efforts

15. Several long-time dictators are overthrown and democracies are established
Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, etc…
Other places are still experiencing conflict today due to the political vacuum left in place

16. Syrian Civil War
During the Arab Spring, Syria erupts into civil war between forces loyal to the dictator Bashar al-Assad and those who want to overthrow him
Civil war is still ongoing an hundreds of thousands have been killed
In 2013 an al-Qaeda fighter in Iraq named Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi creates ISIS and sends fighters into the Syrian Civil War

17. Rise of ISIS
Al-Baghdadi uses his recruits to begin taking control of land in the war-torn areas of Iraq and Syria beginning in 2013
Also begin controlling oil-fields which bring in huge amounts of money to fund operations
ISIS stands for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
Begin recruiting thousands of soldiers from across the disaffected Muslim populations of the Middle East and Europe
Use a powerful propaganda machine and social media to recruit members

18. Goals of ISIS
Create a world-wide caliphate (Islamic Government) and establish Islam as the supreme form of government for all Muslims around the world
Leader claims to be a direct descendent of Muhammad which gives him legitimacy to lead the caliph
Propaganda has influenced Muslims around the world to join him
Ultimate goal is to wage the great war against all non- Muslims around the world that they believe was predicted in Muhammad’s teachings
This is why they have carried out attacks not just in the Middle East, but in Europe and the U.S.

21. ISIS Terrorist Attacks
Many, many more attacks have occurred and killed huge numbers across the Middle East, but the ones that target European and US civilians have received the most coverage.
Paris Attacks - November 2015
Gunmen attack restaurant and nightclub in Paris killing 130 and wounding 400
San Bernardino Shootings – December 2015
Husband and wife attack a government center in California killing 14 and injuring 22
Not directly tied to ISIS, but influenced by ideas and carried out based on ISIS beliefs
Brussels Airport Attack – March 2016
Three suicide bombers in Belgium kill 32 at the airport and train station in Belgium’s capital
Pulse Nightclub Shooting – June 2016
Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in a terrorist attack/hate crime inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida
Bastille Day Attack (Nice, France) – June 2016
Berlin Christmas Market – December 2016
Ariana Grande Concert (Manchester, England) – May 2017