1. What are some of the peoples and empires that have controlled parts of the region? Sumerians. Akkadians. Persians. Greeks. Romans. Monguls. Ottoman Turks. British.

2. What processes aided the diffusion of Arabic Culture? Migration. Trade. Spread of Islam.

3. How does the role of a Sunni imam differ from that of a Shia imam? Sunni are mainly prayer leaders. Shia interpret the Qur’an and other sacred texts, exercise political power in Iran.

4. What major cultural feature is common throughout the region? The practice of Islam.

5. What other cultural features could you use to further divide the Persian Gulf and interior SW Asia? Divide by branches of Islam. Languages such as Arabic, Persian and Turkic.

6. How do some of the region’s people maintain their traditional ways of life? Practice subsistence farming, herding, traditional crafts.

7. What geographic factors have affected Iraq’s international relations in recent decades? Access to oil. Historical claims led Iraq to invade Iran and Kuwait.

8. What 3 themes are reflected in the region’s politics and concerns for the future? Oil wealth. Preserving the authority of traditional leaders. The role of Islam in a modernizing world.

9. Governments and Recent Political Histories Afghanistan-was governed by Taliban, new constitution adopted in 2004. Iran-monarchy overthrown in 1979, replaced theocracy run by ayatollahs. Iraq-2003, Saddam Hussein removed from power. Saudi Arabia-conservative, wealthy monarchy.