Part 4/8:
The current conflicts echo historical patterns of violence and persecution in the region. Incidents of mass violence have characterized the methods by which power shifts occur in the Middle East. The discussion surrounding the Ottoman Empire and the division of territories post-World War I informs the current sectarian strife and the susceptibility of minority communities to persecution. The legacy of these upheavals is a clear reminder of how power vacuums often lead to the rise of more oppressive forces.