Revolution and Its Causes

Paper Summary:

The current sectarian conflict between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq, termed as a full-fledged civil war by some observers, threatens to rip the country apart in an orgy of mindless violence. According to one school of thought, the fighting has the potential of escalating beyond the borders of Iraq and destabilizing the whole region of Middle East, particularly after the American occupation force withdraws from Iraq. Others disagree and believe that the conflict is a direct result of the U.S. occupation and may even have been fanned by the occupation forces as a classic colonial tactic of "divide and rule." In this research paper on Sunni-Shiite fighting in Iraq, the author examines the background of the Sunni-Shiite split and traces the history of Iraqi Shiites, besides discussing how the conflict has affected the country.

Outline:
Background of the Conflict--the Sunni-Shiite Split
Shiites in Iraq
Historical Sunni-Shiite Relations in Iraq
The Sunni-Shiite Conflict in the Post 2003 Scenario
Who is Responsible for the Provocative Attacks?
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The Shiite Buyid dynasty, for example, controlled Iraq and Persia for more than a hundred years from 945 to 1060 AD ("Buyid" 2007) and the Iraq region again came under the control of the Shiite/ Persian Safavid Empire during parts of the 16th and 17th century . The Safavid-Ottoman attempts to control Iraq deepened the Shia-Sunni rift as both Empires used Sunni and Shia religions to mobilize domestic support and prosecuted the rival sect during their periods of control. For instance, Iraq's Sunni population suffered immensely during the Safavid reign (1623-38), while Iraqi Shiites were strictly excluded from positions of power during the Ottoman control (1638-1916). During the longer Ottoman period, the Sunnis monopolized administrative and political power and the Shiites were not provided similar opportunities ("The Ottoman Period" 1988)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Amin, Hussein A. (2001). "The Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam." Islam for Today. Accessed: November 20, 2007.http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm
• Baker, James A. et. al. (2006). "The Iraq Study Group Report." United States Institute of Peace. Accessed: November 20, 2007. http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/iraq_study_group_report.pdf
• Bazzi, Mohamad. (2005). "Zarqawi kin reportedly bombed shrine in Iraq." Newsday. February 7, 2005. Accessed: November 20, 2007. Newsday.com. <http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wozarq0208,0,4101449.story?coll=ny-worldnews-toputility>
• "Buyid." (2007). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Accessed: November 20, 2007.<http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0809668.html>
• Cole, Juan. (2003). "The Iraqi Shiites." Boston Review. Accessed: November 20, 2007. http://bostonreview.net/BR28.5/cole.html

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