Question 1

One of the primary objectives of the Gulf War of 1991 was to maintain and control access to Middle Eastern oil.

Accepted Answer

The Gulf War was fought primarily to defend Saudi Arabia from Iraqi invasion, but a major underlying factor was the concern for maintaining access to Middle Eastern oil.

Question 2

In the September 11, 2001 attacks, all nineteen hijackers were citizens of one of two US allies: Saudi Arabia and Egypt

Accepted Answer

All 19 hijackers were affiliated with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, but most of them were citizens of Saudi Arabia (15) and Egypt (4).

Question 3

Sunni Arabs are the largest minority group in Iraq, followed by Kurds.

Accepted Answer

Sunni Arabs make up around 20-25% of the population in Iraq and Kurds make up around 15-20%. Therefore, Sunni Arabs are the largest minority group in Iraq, followed by Kurds.

Question 4

A "Status of Forces Agreement" was signed in late 2008 between Iraq and Iran.

Accepted Answer

There was no "Status of Forces Agreement" signed between Iraq and Iran in late 2008. However, there was a "Security Agreement" signed between Iraq and the United States in November 2008, which established a framework for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Question 5

President Obama's first speech in the region took place in Cairo in 2009, and was widely lauded throughout the Middle East and North Africa as a sign of improving US relations with countries of the region.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. President Obama's 2009 speech in Cairo was seen as a significant move towards repairing US relations with the Middle East and North Africa.

Question 6

__________________ is a stateless international network seeking to establish an Islamic order.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________________ is a stateless international network seeking...

Question 7

By early 2002, the Bush administration had shifted its focus from al-Qa'ida to __________________ as the most threatening source of anti-American terrorism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of By early 2002, the Bush administration had...

Question 8

In May 2006, a new government emerged in Iraq under prime minister __________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In May 2006, a new government emerged...

Question 9

America's occupation of Iraq, in eliminating Saddam Husayn and bringing the Shi'as to power, has been to the benefit of __________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of America's occupation of Iraq, in eliminating Saddam...

Question 10

The basic parameters of post-cold war policy were set forth by____________ in the immediate aftermath of the Gulf War of_________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The basic parameters of post-cold war policy...

Question 11

What did al-Qa'ida leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri hope to achieve with the 9/11 attacks?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What did al-Qa'ida leaders Osama bin Laden...

Question 12

How was US unilateralism against Iraq received by the United States' international partners?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How was US unilateralism against Iraq received...

Question 13

What became of the primary justification for the invasion of Iraq-Iraq's supposed possession of weapons of mass destruction?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What became of the primary justification for...

Question 14

What did observers claim was "ironic" about US foreign policy in the early 2000s, particularly in relation to Iraq and Iran?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What did observers claim was "ironic" about...

Question 15

What factors threaten the stability of the area in northern Iraq shared by Iraqi Arabs and a large concentration of Kurds?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What factors threaten the stability of the...

Question 16

How was the 2003 invasion of Iraq viewed by most Iraqis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How was the 2003 invasion of Iraq...

Question 17

Briefly explain the origins of ISIS.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain the origins of ISIS....

Question 18

How does ISIS seem to differ from al-Qa'ida in tactics and structure?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does ISIS seem to differ from...

Question 19

Briefly explain how armed conflict between the US/Britain and Iraq in 1998 helped facilitate the George W. Bush administration's manipulation of intelligence in 2003.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain how armed conflict between the...

Question 20

Briefly explain how heightened mistrust between the US and regional allies in light of the JCPOA deal has affected US foreign policy in the Arab world?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain how heightened mistrust between the...

Quiz 25: Americas Troubled Moment in the Middle East