The Taliban represents an ideology What is that ideology brWhat were the circumstances for the Talibans established power What led to their powerbrDoes the Talibans belief system conflict with any other political belief systems Which HowbrWhat are the different crises that ex ID: 776737
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "The Taliban represents an ideology. Wha..." is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
The Middle East Unit
Slide2What do we think we know about the Middle East as a region?
When you think of the Middle East, what are your preconceived notions about the region?
TERMS, IDEAS, PHRASES, GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE,
Slide3*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
On a separate sheet of paper, 1) write down the letter or number; 2) label the city/country
Slide49/11 as our lens
9/11 was the start of the 21
st
Century.
New Enemy
New Political System legitimizedQuestion America’s role in the world
Technology continues to shrink the worldChange to essential rightsChange to U.S. Military strategy
Unilateral power shifted to multilateral world?Bi-Polar World: Us v. Them (Axis of Evil)?
9/11 is to the 21
st
century as the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand was to the 20th
.
Slide5What is the “War on Terror?”
Why is it important to define such a term?
What is terror or terrorism? Is the “War on Terror” more specific than that definition (what is the goal of “the terrorists”)?
After living through the “War on Terror” most of your life, how would you define this war in your own words (off the cuff)?
Slide6Is this terrorism?
What is this a picture of?
Where do you think it is?
Who committed this act?
Is this an example of what we are trying to stop in the “War on Terror”
Slide7Homework
Define the “War on Terror” using evidence to back your definition.
Find an article which explains the “War on Terror”
Write (type or handwritten) the evidence from the article which supports your definition
Write out your supported definition of the “War on Terror”
Requirements: Article (printed), evidence, and your definition.
Slide8War on Terror
The War on Terror is a conflict between the United States and other nations which oppose the proliferation of Political Islam (Radical Islam/
Islamization
/Islamic Fundamentalism).
Political Islam- A political philosophy which supports the creation of an Islamic, political structure in order to ensure a society founded on Islamic ideals and beliefs.
Many believe that in order for political Islam to be truly successful, it requires an international system much like communism, capitalism, and democracy.
Slide9Where did the “War on Terror” begin?
Slide10Afghanistan
Slide11Afghan Map
Slide12Afghanistan- Charlie Wilson’s War
Charlie Wilson’s War
was adapted from George Crile’s 2003 book which was an account of Charlie Wilson’s (U.S. House of Representatives rep-D-TX- 1979-1996) and Gust
Avrakotos’s
(Case officer and operative in the CIA) involvement in Operation Cyclone which was the U.S. support of the Afghan
mujahideen during the Afghan-Soviet War (1979-1989).
Slide13Background
While Afghanistan had many attempts at a central government in the 20
th
c., there was constant division between tribal, ethnic, and political groups. The Afghanis were unable to create a national identity and national character.
In 1979, the PDPA (People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan) emerged which tried to implement a socialist agenda which was not well received (state atheism and land reform).
In 1979, the Soviet Union intervened on behalf of the PDPA in order to help solidify and establish a pro-Soviet government.
Slide14Background
An Afghani guerilla group known as the
Mujahideen
emerged to fight off the pro-Soviet Afghan and Soviet troops.
Mujahideen
means “strugglers” or has been translated into “holy warriors.”These soldiers came from all over the Middle East to assist in the fighting because it was seen as a religious war against godlessness and a war against imperialism. They were extremely outmatched in weaponry.
Slide15Who are the people of the Middle East?
Understanding Islam
Basic Tenets
of Islam:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS21432.
pdfUnderstanding Pashtun Culture
Economist Article on Pashtun Culture: http://www.economist.com/node/8345531
Ethnicity Assignment:Each student will pick one of the countries of the Middle EastResearch the demographics: different ethnic groups, languages, religious groups (percentages needed for each
demographic characteristic)
Slide16Understanding Middle Eastern Culture: Islam
History:
Muhammad was a merchant from Mecca.
610 AD- received message from Allah (God)
.
The Message was captured in the Koran (Quran)
Muhammad is the last prophet = “
the seal of the prophets” (final message)Muhammad was rejected by the pilgrims and merchants of Mecca.
Slide17In 622, Muhammad was driven from Mecca to Medina.
In 630, Muhammad converted Mecca to Islam after years of fighting.
In 632, Muhammad dies. Paves the way to Islamic Schism. Why?
What is a Caliphate? What is a Caliph?
What are Sunnis and
Shi
’ites?
Slide185 Basic Tenets
Recite the Creed: There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet (is his Messenger).
Pray five times each day. (towards Mecca)
Give alms to the poor.
fast from dawn till sunset during the month of Ramadan.
Pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca once in your lifetime if financially and physically feasible.
Slide19Religious Guidance
According to Islam, Muhammad recorded in Arabic God
’
s message which was dictated through the angel Gabriel in their sacred book: the Quran or Koran.
Muslims also interpret the
Sunnah
(Muhammad’s life) and the Hadiths (
Muhammad’s sayings)
ShariaWafd- an Islamic endowment (upheld through charitable contributions
Fatwa- Religious declaration (not binding to anyone who doesn’t
issue it)
Slide20Jihad- Struggle
Misinterpreted by many to mean?
The struggle is usually internal. Such as?
External struggle can mean the struggle to do right action, and to struggle for what is believed to be good and right according to God
Slide21Wahhabism
(
Salafism
)
Originated by
Muhhamad ibn Add al-Wahhab.
An Islamic movement which seeks to purge Islam of many modern interpretations. More conservative, and salafis call for society to mimic
that of Muhammad’s historical period.
Adopted by Saud tribal family and spread throughout Saudi Arabia.Saudi oil money has helped build Salafist madrasas (Islamic schools) throughout the Middle East, but in particular Pakistan.
The teachings have been abused to spread conservative and (sometimes) radical Islam.
Slide22Pashtun Culture
Pashtuns- Ethnic group located in Afghanistan and western Pakistan
.
The
Pashtuns are one ethnic group, but composed of many different tribes or clans.
http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/ilsp/research/kakar.pdf
Slide23“
It is a question of honor.
”
Pashtunwali
- Pashtun code of conduct that
this group has lived by for centuries (ethical code).
In this part of the world, to lose this honor (izzat or nang) is to be an
“outsider.” It leads to one and his/her family to be ostracized.
Since one cannot deviate from Pashtunwali without being shunned by the community and family, the code of conduct is difficult to change and progress over time.
Slide24Main Principles
Melmastia (hospitality): feeding strangers and defense of a guest.
Namus (Gender boundaries): in society there is a veil or boundary between males and female interactions. But this also includes the defense of the honor of women which is why the boundary exists.
Jirga (council): Pashtun council held to decide matters that require consensus and the code which creates a binding agreement between the groups involved.
Ghayrat and Nang (Chivalry): Defined as honorable actions in battle and proper defense of honor. Includes rules for who can be attacked (no civilians). You must defend your honor.
Slide25The Jirga
Tribe meets to discuss arguments between tribes
ond
individuals and dish-out justice for offenses such as
“
blood money” feuds.
The blood was the blood of 80 people from one tribe killed in a raid to appease the honor (nang) of the other other tribe for the kidnapping for two girls (killed anyway).
The final penalty was $60,000.What implications does this have for nation building?
Creating a national government?American/NATO soldiers trying to make relationships with the Afghan clans?
Slide26Pashtunwali and Islam
The ethical code is sometimes rivaled by , but more often created into a hybrid by Islamic beliefs that are influenced by the Saudi
Salafis
or
Wahhabism
sect of Islam.Creates problems between lifestyles. Jirga v. Sharia Law. Which is the truest or best form of justice?
Slide27History
The remote people are surrounded by a more remote area. No outside civilization has ever been able to control this region.
The Pashtuns see themselves as a superior culture to other cultures.
Leadership is not based on inheritance, but on merit.
The emergence of Islam has had a a peaceful coexistence with
Pashtunwali
.Islam has been used to unite the tribes in time of need. Example: the Soviet-Afghan War and U.S.-Afghan War
While there many tribes, all are Muslim which makes unification possible through religion.
Slide28Problems to Western Allies
U.S. and NATO military strategy does not meet this code of honor and is an insult to the Pashtun way of life which makes success through acceptance difficult.
Human rights obligations can act as an
impediment
to
Pashtunwali.
The code also calls upon the people to protect the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.Jirga justice vs. secular courts
Slide29Afghanistan by Ethnicity
Slide30Post Charlie Wilson’s War
Who were the good and bad guys in this film?
What were the forces which motivated the different groups?
Slide31Real Life Photos
Slide32Charlie
Slide33Now, who is the villain?
Slide34The Taliban
Sunni Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan which are primarily from Pashtun tribes.
Goal: Theo-political philosophy which seeks to create an Islamic Caliphate based on a strict/ultra conservative interpretation of Islam. (Islamic Fascists)
The Taliban’s most original aims were, as Ahmed Rashid, the Pakistani journalist and author of Taliban (2000), wrote, to “restore peace, disarm the population, enforce Sharia law and defend the integrity and Islamic character of Afghanistan
.”
While there are links to
Wahhabism (Salafism
), their ideology has perverted what most Muslims believe are the basic tenets of Islam.
Slide35Pakistan
’
s
Northwest Frontier Province and Kashmir
Slide36History
After the Soviets left Afghanistan in 1989, the country fell into civil strife as tribal leaders fought for power. Social and Economic upheaval:
1.5 million people dead
Over 1/3 of Afghanistan were refugees across the region.
No government (central or provincial)
No economy (agricultural community/land is ravaged by war)Young population with no education/economy/mostly orphans
Political Vacuum: Mujihadeen no longer has a cause, but are well trained, well armed with no economic future. Infighting begins among the tribes.
Slide37Madrassas
Islamic schools
Funded by wealthy Saudi
Salafists
, many madrassas in Pakistan taught militant Islam to be used to enlist young fighters in Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Talib- a student
Slide38Mullah Omar
Founder of the Taliban.
Fought with
Mujahideen
.
Islamic teacher (Mullah) in Pakistani Madrassa.He lived in Kandahar in Southern Afghanistan, and became tired of the infighting. Desired to put an end to civil strife.He called upon his religious students to fight.
The Taliban quickly organized a national campaign and took control of most of Afghanistan.
Slide39Outside Influence
Pakistan’s government by decree of Benazir Bhutto and through the ISI tried to use the Taliban as a puppet to protect trade routes through southern Afghanistan to Central and Western Asia.
By 1994, the Taliban took control of 90% of Afghanistan. The North was held by the Northern Alliance which was a group of tribes held together by Ahmad Shah
Massoud
.
The United States under Bill Clinton saw the Taliban as a check on Iran and a possible chance for stability in a country in which the U.S. oil group
Unical had been trying to place an oil pipeline for nearly a decade.Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, was the main opposition in the U.S. to the Taliban because of women’s rights.
Slide40Benazir Bhutto
Slide41Unocal
’
s
Afghan Pipeline Plan
Slide42Destroys
Bamiyan
Buddhas
Slide43Al-Qaeda
Slide44Relationship with Al-Qaeda
Bin Laden provided money to Mullah Omar for protection, and he brought an international image for the newly formed caliphate.
Omar supported Bin Laden’s cause, and therefore, supported Bin Laden.
Al Qaeda assassinates Ahmad Shah
Massoud
on 9/9/2001.9/11
U.S. asks Taliban to hand over Osama Bin Laden. Mullah Omar refuses.U.S. invades in October 2001.
Slide45How does this link to Middle East Crisis?
The Taliban represents an ideology. What is that ideology?
What were the circumstances for the Taliban’s established power? What led to their power?
Does the Taliban’s belief system conflict with any other political belief systems? Which? How?
What are the different crises that existed in
this conflict?Does this ideology have links with other ideologies across the Middle East?
Did the ideology begin in Afghanistan?