Iraqi Sunnis' Cultural Receptivity of Islamic Extremists' Beliefs

The United States not only has an interest in understanding the Iraqi Sunni insurgency that erupted against US soldiers, but is also concerned about the larger stability of Iraq, Afghanistan and the countries in the Horn of Africa. The thesis presented here suggests the cultural values of honor as related to shame and social character versus Islamic extremists' beliefs drive the Iraqi Sunni insurgency. The paper uses these cultural values as criteria to examine the actions of insurgents. The actions show linkages to deep Arab cultural roots by providing the link from modern Sunni insurgents to pre-Islam Arab culture. A competent level of cultural understanding of these values will lead to a stable Iraq positioned between non-Arab Iran and the rest of the Arab countries, and ultimately save American lives. This research paper analyzed the Iraqi Sunni behaviors and willingness to associate with Islamic extremists, but not to accept Islamic extremism. It was determined that insurgent actions do reflect the cultural values of honor and social character versus extremists views. Furthermore, this is leading to splits in the insurgency. In other words, you can solve the grievance of the insurgents and still not end up with an Islamic extremists' Iraq. The analysis came from a review of books on cultural values and behaviors of Iraqi Sunnis and terrorist operating in Iraq. Influencing Iraqi Sunnis through cultural values offers a possible model to use in other geographic regions.