Tom Fudge: Over many years, the Palestinian conflict seemed to define Middle Eastern politics. But today, Arab unity in opposition to Israel seems to be more complicated. The complicating factors are the political and sectarian divisions within the Arab community itself. This definitely comes to mind when you think about Iraq.
The civil war in that country, in which the U.S. finds itself embroiled, is between Muslim Shiites and Sunnis. The difference between Shiites and Sunnis is hard for non-Muslims to understand because it relates to theological differences that are centuries old. But whatever the origins of the split, today it's a source of serious political and economic conflict – conflicts that very often erupt in violence.
Anthony Shadid will be speaking about the implications of the War in Iraq on the Middle East Thurs. Nov. 08 at 7 p.m. at UCSD’s Robinson Auditorium.
Guest
- Anthony Shadid , Middle East correspondent for The Washington Post . Shadid won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for his coverage of the Iraq War.
