Abstract
The paper explores the beginnings of the conflict between the Sunni and Shiite factions of Islam and explains their ideological differences. The paper focuses on the twentieth century and why the Islamic conflict continues. The paper discusses how concessions to the Islamists will not work because wiping out the West is part of their agenda. The paper points out, however, that a better understanding of this conflict among Westerners can only yield positive results by clarifying how our interests lay with the Muslims who do not answer the Islamist call to battle.

Table of Contents:
Outline
Beginnings
The Schism
The Contemporary Sunni-Shiite Divide
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This essay will examine the ongoing conflict between the two principle branches of Islam: Sunni and Shiite. This is a relevant, even critical topic for anyone interested in today's world events. The current War on Terror and the struggles between Palestinians and the Israelis make understanding the acrimony between Sunni and Shiite Muslims necessary. The secular, Christian West remained generally ignorant of Islam until September 11, 2001, when members of Islam's radical fringe besmirched their faith in the eyes of the world through an amazing act of terrorism."

Tags:Muhammad, Hezbollah, Bin, Laden, Ayatollah, Khomeini

Abstract
This paper examines the ongoing conflict between the two principle branches of Islam: Sunni and Shiite. The paper asserts that this is a relevant, even critical topic for anyone interested in today's world events. The current War on Terror and the struggles between Palestinians and the Israelis make understanding the acrimony between Sunni and Shiite Muslims necessary. The secular, Christian West remained generally ignorant of Islam until September 11, 2001, when members of Islam's radical fringe besmirched their faith in the eyes of the world through an amazing act of terrorism.

From the Paper
"This essay will examine the ongoing conflict between the two principle branches of Islam: Sunni and Shiite. This is a relevant, even critical topic for anyone interested in today's world events. The current War on Terror and the struggles between Palestinians and the Israelis make understanding the acrimony between Sunni and Shiite Muslims necessary. The secular, Christian West remained generally ignorant of Islam until September 11, 2001, when members of Islam's radical fringe besmirched their faith in the eyes of the world through an amazing act of terrorism."

Tags:terrorism, religion, Middle, East, fight

Abstract
This paper explains that Machiavelli's advice regarding the conflict between the Iraqi insurgents and President Bush would be explicit regarding the governance of Iraq: Do not leave governance up to the democratic will of the people because this will only stimulate chaos and revolt and allow minority clerics to stimulate discontent among fundamentalist sympathizers in Iraq. The author points out that Machiavelli would see it foolish for 'Prince' George Bush's own interests to attempt to create a Constitutional democracy in Iraq, which would self-destruct, and thus endanger his own power. The paper relates that Plato from his ideal Socratic oligarchy might agree that democracy would not be the ideal path for Iraq to follow; the problem with Socrates' analysis is that he seems to suggest the most faithful rather than the most popular should hold political sway but, when philosophical correctness within the dominant faith is polarized between Sunni and Shiite, a religious theocracy would be a disaster.

From the Paper
"Machiavelli would see a democratically elected, Constitutional Prince as anathema and unwise in this situation. In Chapter V of "The Prince", he specifically denotes what should be done concerning the governance of "those states which have been acquired," as Iraq has, through warfare and occupation. For states unlike Iraq, that "have been accustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom," such states should be allowed to remain free and constitutionally governed. "Because such a government, being created by the prince, knows that it cannot stand without his friendship and interest, and does its utmost to support him; and therefore he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it more easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way.""

Tags:fundamentalist, anathema, prince, self-destruct, theocracy

Abstract
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)"

Tags:conflict sunni shiite occupation history, middle east

Abstract
This paper examines how the Sunni-Shiite conflict has occurred for most of Muslim history, seeing each other as "apostates or even as enemies of Islam" and how the conflict has resulted in very violent activity. The paper looks at the main differences between the the sects and then discusses the modern issues that affect us today regarding the two groups such as the war in Iraq.

From the Paper
"Some might think that the differences between the Shiites and Sunnis are pretty insignificant. To give some background information before discussing this first difference: Mohammed founded the Islam religion in the seventh century; it was in 622 that the first Islamic state was founded in western Saudi Arabia - Medina - located north of Mecca. The Sunnis believe that the first four caliphs - who were Mohammed's successors, took the place of Mohammed rightfully and became leaders of Muslims legitimately and rightfully. For the Sunnis, they believe that these heirs are legitimate. These religious heirs ruled until the crumbling of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War."

Tags:Mohammad, taliban, koran

Abstract
This paper explains the differences in religious beliefs between the Shiites and Sunnis and discusses how, in Iraq, Shiites were oppressed during the reign of Saddam Hussein. The paper relates that Iran and the Taliban practiced conflicting forms of Islam while many also blame the presence of American troops for the violent conflict between the two sects. The paper shows how what may have started out as a more religious conflict between the Shiites and the Sunnis is now more of a political conflict and an identity problem, which is the source of much tension in countries like Iran and Iraq.

From the Paper
"The majority of the world's Muslim's are Sunnis making up roughly 85 percent; the rest of the Muslim's are called Shiites - making up approximately15 percent of Muslims. The numbers and percentages are the easiest factor to understand about the Sunnis and Shiites; the rest of their story is more complex. Some of the questions that people often wonder are: which group lives where, what and why are there differences between them, and why does it create a conflict? "The five pillars of Islam - daily prayer; fasting during Ramadan; alms giving; the pilgrimage to Mecca; and belief in one, unitary god - are at the core of both faiths" (Murphy 2007). The difference between the two could be compared to that of Catholics and Protestants; they both have the same basic beliefs, for example: they all believe in their holy text - the Koran - just as Catholics and Protestants both believe in and follow the Bible, and they believe that the prophet Mohammed will be resurrected at the end of the world and he will make final judgment."

Tags:Taliban, Iraq, Iran, Saddam, Hussein

Abstract
This paper examines interpersonal conflict within the workplace as well as conflict negotiation for managers as a response to that kind of business place conflict. The paper outlines some of the cons of ignoring conflict in the workplace, defines the relevant terms, discusses the pros of conflict negotiation, and concludes the matter with a consideration of some recommendations.

From the Paper
"Managing interpersonal conflict in the workplace can be one of the most difficult and yet most important tasks that a manager must undertake on a regular basis. Modern business methods have repeatedly broken down traditional organizational structures, often in favor of team-building and small, task-oriented groups. In these kinds of situations, office politics become much more crucial to the success of individual projects. It takes a skilled manager to maintain good will between employees and requires the use of conflict negotiation in the workplace. Despite the difficulty in doing so, the benefits of mastering this skill will be incredibly high. In general, studies have demonstrated that individuals within an organization perceive interpersonal conflict negatively and believe that it has a negative effect on outcomes (Barki and Hartwick 222)."

Tags:interpersonal, conflict, negotiation

Abstract
This paper focuses on the dynamics of a departmental work group which was created to manage daily operations within a specific working environment. This paper examines the initial goals of the group as well as the instances and reasons for severe issues of conflict within the group. The writer of this paper discusses the various strategies and processes the group must implement in order to resolve the issues of conflict to once again become an effective and productive team. This paper lists the various acceptable and non-acceptable behaviors within a group environment. The writer contends and explains why it's imperative that there be an effective leader that is capable of guiding and leading his or her team to resolve issues of conflict which ultimately impede on the productivity of the entire group. This paper also examines the effectiveness of the 'storming' process in resolving conflict. The storming process addresses the lack of leadership and/or cohesiveness within the group. The storming process allows for members of the group to aspire for higher positioning or for a leadership role within the group while at the same time rejecting the current self-assigned leader.

From the Paper
"One of the major problems with the team is that the main focus for many members is based on jockeying for position, rather than on achieving the goals of the team. It must be noted that for a team to be effective, members must be aligned and focused on achieving team goals together, not on achieving individual goals. This is not occurring. I believe that a major reason for this is based on the fact that members are viewing the work group as an opportunity to be noticed by the manager and achieve individual success. In saying this, it must be noted that the work group is the first opportunity many members have had to contribute to the department. This means that members are viewing the work group as an opportunity to contribute more to the department."

Tags:applied, practice, conflict, group, workplace, human, resources, leader, team

Abstract
The paper studies the 1000 year old battle for cultural, religious and political supremacy between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon. It shows the demographic make-up of present day Lebanon and investigates the possibility of dividing the country according to the dominant religious group in the area. It brings examples of other countries in the world where this method of partition was implemented.

From the Paper
"In this framework, it was inevitable that the creation of Israel would be seen not as returning residents to their old land, but of Europe using the Middle East for expansion of power, influence and control. Israel was viewed as the puppet of European interests, and they saw themselves as pawns being played by outside forces in the Cold War between the U.S.S.R. and Western interests, and Israel as an example of Western colonialism in the middle of the Arab world. (Esposito, 1997) This view would be strengthened when the U.S.S.R. attempted to defeat the Moslem country of Afghanistan, followed after a relatively brief period by United States military action there."

Tags:Crusades, Middle, East, Judaism, Maronites, Ottoman, Empire, Druze, Shiite, PLO, Sunni, Sa'iqa

Abstract
The paper examines the effect of the 2007 American troop surge on the Iraq conflict, and then reveals that although the surge plan appears to have reduced casualties and bolstered security, it has done so at the cost of long-term effective government in Iraq. After framing the problem, the paper shows that the only solution is to integrate the Army and eventually withdraw.

From the Paper
"The war in Iraq presents the United States and the world with a series of multi-faceted problems. Currently there is so much factionalism between Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite, that the central government is incapable of reigning in violent Al Qaeda groups. These groups in some cases work in tandem with Iraqis enraged over the U.S. occupation. A conflict already unique because of these ethnic and ideological divides was made even more complex in January 2007, when President Bush announced a troop surge of more..."

Tags:surge, Shiite, Sunni, Al Qaeda, Iraq