Quiz on Understanding the Middle East

In this 1990 speech, President George H. W. Bush condemned the actions of which leader?

• A. Bashar al-Assad

• B. Saddam Hussein

• C. Muammar Gaddafi

• D. Ruhollah Khomeini

President Bush's speech referenced events leading to which conflict?

• A. The Iran-Iraq War

• B. The Iraq War

• C. The Persian Gulf War

• D. The Soviet-Afghan War

An important document related to Israel’s history confirmed what?

• A. Support from the United Kingdom for a separate Jewish state.

• B. Israel’s independence from British control.

• C. Rejection of colonialism in the Middle East.

• D. A peaceful resolution of British influence in the region.

What were the stated goals and outcomes of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003?

•    The US government carried out the invasion in order to prevent a rumored Iraqi invasion of Israel, but uncovered no evidence of such a plot.

•   The US government carried out the invasion in order to destroy the Iraqi nuclear weapons program, but uncovered no evidence of such a program.

•      The US government carried out the invasion in order to overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, but Hussein remained in power following the conflict.

•      The US government carried out the invasion in order to force Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, but Kuwait remained under Iraqi control following the conflict.

What do Shia Muslims believe about leadership succession after Muhammad?

• Leadership should be gained through force.

• Leaders must be related to Muhammad.

• Leaders must come from wealthy families.

• Leaders should be elected by the Muslim community.

What do Sunni Muslims believe about leadership succession after Muhammad?

• Leadership should stay within Muhammad’s family.

• Leaders must seize power by force.

• Leaders must come from privileged backgrounds.

• Leadership should be chosen by the community.

What was a key goal of U.S. action in the Persian Gulf War?

• Protecting Saudi oil fields.

• Forcing Iraq to leave Israel.

• Ending Iraq’s nuclear weapons program.

• Preserving Saddam Hussein’s rule.

Why did the U.S. invade Afghanistan in 2001?

• The Taliban government invaded and annexed oil-rich regions of neighboring countries.

•   The Taliban government provided protection for members of the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

• The Taliban government refused to allow international inspectors into its weapons facilities.

• The Taliban government used chemical weapons against civilians protesting for democracy.

Which country did the U.S. invade after the September 11 attacks?

• Afghanistan

• Egypt

• Iran

• Pakistan

The split over succession after Muhammad created which two Islamic branches?

• Shia and Sunni

• Kharijite and Sufism

• Ahmadiyya and Sunni

• Sunni and Sufism