Thanks, Nova; now that IS confusing - Iranians aren't ARABS; but they're Muslim? Frankly, it's all too confusing to me - the Baathists were SUnnis, but then there are lot of other Sunnis, and all the different Shiite sects.
Yikes. Don't worry, it's our main ideas that we hope to come across, Nova; the details aren't that important.I have no problem admitting I'm undereducated in Middle Eastern knowledge, history or anything else. Who could possibly know it all?
![]()
I find the Middle East confusing, too, Martha, and I don't mind saying so. I only spoke up 'cause some other posters like to pick at every little thing.
Iranians are predominantly Muslim, and Shia like the Baathists. This is a large part of the traditional conflict between Iran and Sunni-controlled Iraq.
But ethnically, Iranians are largely Persian while Iraqis are largely Arabs (like the Saudis).
Although it's confusing, it's really no more a muddle than Europe used to be when traditionally Protestant Germans were killing traditionally Catholic Poles and also killing Jews who where themselves actually Germans and Poles, etc.