So what’s the big difference between IRAQ and IRAN?

Students will be able to – explain 3 major differences between Iraq and Iran describe how differences in the cultures of Iran and Iraq have led to conflict in the Middle East examine recent interactions between the U.S. and Iraq/Iran

HOW ARE IRAQ AND IRAN ALIKE? Both located in the MIDDLE EAST

How are Iraq and Iran alike in religion? ISLAM Followers of Islam are called Muslims

What important natural resource do both Iraq and Iran produce? OIL

FARSI

Iran: Shia Iraq: Sunni – Strong Shia groups in the country

SHIA SUNNI

Saddam Hussein was SUNNI and through his military dictatorship he suppressed the SHIA. Since American invasion - CIVIL WAR BETWEEN SUNNI AND SHIA IRAN wants to use Iraq’s SHIA population to spread Islamic Fundamentalism. What does the U.S. leaving Iraq mean to this situation?

IRAQ – PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY Constitution and Representative government The government is very new – formed after the U.S. invasion to overthrow Hussein Nouri al-Maliki Iraq’s Prime Minister

IRAN – ISLAMIC REPUBLIC Supreme Leader (Ayatollah) – absolute power over all parts of government and life in Iran THEOCRACY – a government where religion and law are the same

IRAN is also an OLIGARCHY, a government in which a small group has control. Guardian Council –Determines whether laws and policies conform to religious principles; chooses candidates for President

President of IRAN – the spokesperson for the Iranian government (the “face” of Iran to the world)

IRAN / IRAQ WAR Struggle between Sunni and Shia Access to the Persian Gulf

U.S. – IRAQ OPERATION DESERT STORM 1991 to counter the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait IRAQI WAR 2003 – 2011 to overthrow Saddam Hussein to destroy Weapons of Mass Destruction (that we never found)

HOSTAGE CRISIS 1979 Iranian extremists took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days

IRAN and Terrorism trains, arms, funds terrorist activities throughout Middle East, particularly in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN HEZEBOLLAH

IRAN’S GOALS – ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM Control of the Middle East Destruction of Israel

Our greatest security concern about IRAN development of nuclear weapons IRAN says nuclear research is for improving the standard of living for Iranians

Who is most at risk in the region if Iran develops nuclear weapons? ISRAEL Ahmadinejad has stated that “Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth.”

If we enact harsh sanctions against Iran – what can she do to retaliate? cut off OIL

TASK Analyze a political cartoon about IRAQ and IRAN. What does the cartoon mean?