Here’s a simple key to understanding the war history in the Middle East.
First, ignore the countries’ borders. They were established by Euro-American powers to establish control in the region. Over time, regional governments have come to lock in these arbitrary boundaries to maintain their control, gain foreign assistance, and maintain U.N. recognition. But the majority of the regional people do not recognize these borders. They follow the traditions of each region, mainly based upon their sect of Islam.
Second, the particular religion in each region will tell how history has and will unfold. There are two main forms of Islam, Sunni and Shia. They have been in a blood feud for nearly 1,400 years. Most have learned to tolerate one another. There are also many sects within each, but the overriding significance is Sunni and Shia. Sunni are 90 percent of the world’s population of Muslims. They are significantly more violent. Sunnis include Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, the 9/11 bombers, all of Islamic State, and Syrian rebels. Fighting them are the Shia including Yemen, Iran, Syria and Kurds. Iraq is Shia in the south and Sunni in the north, where Islamic State fights to claim their traditional land.
No matter the news reports, just remember who is Shia, who is Sunni, and ignore the borders.
G.P. “Buzz” Avery
Vancouver
