Radical Islamic Fundamentalism

Radical Islamic Fundamentalism
Modern World

The Iranian Revolution (1979) In the 1960s and 1970s, Shah Reza Pahlavi, ruler of Iran, adopted elements of Western culture and technology. Iran’s religious leaders held massive public demonstrations, which led to the overthrow of the Shah in 1979.

The Iranian Revolution Ayatollah Khomeini, an Islamic fundamentalist, became Iran’s new leader. Fundamentalism is any movement within a religion that seeks to return to its basic values. Radical Islamic Fundamentalism was mainly a reaction against the values of the West.

The Iranian Revolution It calls for strict enforcement of Islamic law (Sharia). There was no separation from religion and state. There was a new constitution based on the Quran. Khomeini supported acts of terrorism and permitted the seizure of hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran.

The First Gulf War In 1979, Saddam Hussein seized power and imposed a brutal dictatorship in Iraq. In 1980, Hussein attacked Iran. In 1990, Hussein occupied oil-rich Kuwait. Fearing an invasion of Saudi Arabia and the disruption of oil flow, the US and its allies sent troops to get the Iraqis out of Kuwait.

The First Gulf War Iraqi forces were quickly dispelled, but allied leaders allowed Hussein to remain in power. Soon after, Hussein’s army attacked the Kurdish minority in Northern Iraq in an attempted genocide.

Al-Qaeda and the September 11, 2001 Attacks Al-Qaeda was a terrorist organization formed by Osama bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi who had helped fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda members considered themselves radical Islamic Fundamentalists fighting a holy war, or Jihad, against the West.

Al-Qaeda and 9/11 On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists living in the US hijacked several US commercial airliners. The hijackers took over the planes and crashed them into the Pentagon and World Trade Center. President George W. Bush responded by declaring a “War on Terrorism.”

The War in Afghanistan The Taliban, a group of radical Islamic Fundamentalists, had gained control of Afghanistan after the defeat of Soviet forces. The Taliban imposed strict religious beliefs and “religious police” roamed the streets, beating anyone who disobeyed strict Islamic rulers.

The War in Afghanistan The Taliban allowed al-Qaeda to operate training camps in Afghanistan. When they refused to surrender Osama bin Laden, the US invaded and overthrew the Taliban regime. Osama bin Laden was captured and killed on May 2, 2011.

The Second Gulf War Saddam Hussein failed to permit UN inspectors to monitor that Iraq was not building and stockpiling nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. After 9/11, world leaders demanded Iraq show they did not have weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

The Second Gulf War Against the hopes of the UN Security Council, the US, Britain, and their allies invaded Iraq in 2003. Hussein’s government quickly collapsed. Hussein fled, was captured and tried in an Iraqi court and executed. Iraqis voted a new democratic constitution in 2005. No WMDs were found.

The Second Gulf War Allied troops suffered continuing casualties when Hussein loyalists, religious radicals, and other opponents staged insurgency. Tensions between Iraq’s Shi’ites, Sunnis, and Kurds also added to the conflict. Additional foreign troops reduced the violence. As Iraq becomes more stable, more troops are withdrawn.

Notebook Assignment Do you think American leaders took the right step against terrorism by invading Afghanistan and Iraq? Explain your answer.

Radical Islamic Fundamentalism