1. Understanding the Iraq War

2. Sunni vs Shi’a When the profit Muhammad died he didn’t leave a successor. Sunni= the most qualified should lead Shi’a = only a member of Muhammad's family can lead.

3. Sunni vs Shi’a Most people in the Middle East are Sunni The Shi’a live in Lebanon, Iran & Iraq.

4. Iran In 1979 Ayatollah Khomeini took over Iran Islam becomes the law of the land. Iran = Theocracy

5. Iran – Iraq War Iraq = Arab Iran = Persian 1980 – Saddam Hussein invades Iran. 1 million people die during the 8 yr. war.

6. Persian Gulf War 1990 Saddam invades Kuwait. UN assembles a army led by the USA. Ground war last 100 hours Saddam is left in power.

7. WMD WMD = Weapons of Mass destruction. Saddam had gassed his own people, the Kurds, who were fighting for their own nation in Northern Iraq.

8. WMD After the 1 st Gulf War Iraq was under economic sanctions. (not allowed to sell oil) We wanted him to destroy the WMD’s

9. Iraq War Begins 3/20/03 – UN doesn’t support it. Looking for WMD – none found Saddam captured in 2003 – tried and executed in 2006