The Religious Dimensions of Conflict in the Middle East

Religion is a factor in multiple ways in the Middle East. Hezbollah and Hamas are Islamist organizations. Lebanon's social and political structure is based upon careful balancing among its constituent religious communities. Israel is a Jewish state. Iran is an Islamist state dominated by clerics. Rivalries between Shiite and Sunni populations in Iraq underpin much of the turmoil there. Religious dynamics play out in several other Middle Eastern countries.

How do religious factors affect conflict in the Middle East? How might these factors be better understood? How might they be managed in non-violent ways? Can religion be a force for peace? Is the role of religion exaggerated in the media?

Speakers

• Daoud L. Khairallah
  Adjunct Professor at Georgetown and at SAIS, Johns Hopkins
• Imad Harb
  U. S. Institute of Peace
• Graham Fuller
  formerly of Rand Corporation
• David Smock, Moderator
  U.S. Institute of Peace

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