1. Conflict Analysis March 7, 2011

2. Israel and Palestine Today… Conflicts continue Israel has blockaded the West Bank and Gaza Strip Blockade-to cut off trade and travel Hamas-Palestinian organization, has targeted Israel in attacks Israeli government continues to build settlements on land claimed by Palestine

3. Iraq and United States Today… Iraq’s new government struggles for stability. U.S. never found weapons of mass destruction, but… They found mass graves and other evidence of Saddam’s cruelty toward the Kurds and other people. U.S. forces continue to fight small guerilla forces… Former followers of Saddam People affiliated with al- Qaeda Obama has said the U.S. hopes all troops will be out of Iraq by December, 2011

4. The Kurds Today… – 20 million Kurds live along the border of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria – The Kurds still fight against persecution and for their own independent nation.

5. Iran Today… – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been in power for 2 years now. – The government uses fear to suppress speech and protest. – The young, educated population might rise up again to demand equal representation.

6. Iran, Israel, and the U.S. United Nations an International Atomic Energy Agency believe Iran is using their nuclear facilities to make nuclear weapons. Iran has denied access to several nuclear facility sites, Israel’s Prime Minister warns, “the time for a diplomatic solution is running out.” U.S. and UN do not want Iran to become an atomic power.

7. Syria Authoritarian regime lead by Bashir al-Asad’s regime since 2000. In March, 2011, protesters began an opposition movement to end strict laws al-Asad put in place. Violent clashes repressing the protests and killing civilians in Syria have continually gotten worse.

8. Shi’ite and Sunni Mulims Differ over who should lead the Islamic faith: someone picked by members of the community or a descendant of Muhammad. Saudi Arabia: mostly Sunni Islam Iraq and Iran: majority Shi’ite. Sunni and Shi’ite differences have caused problems in already turbulent countries.