1. According to many observers, one of the key challenges to political development and stability in the Middle East, is the region’s so-called “democracy deficit.” What is the “democracy deficit” that plages the Middle East? Why has this condition historically affected the region? What accounts for its continued persistence?
2. What are the three most important effects of the Shi’a-Sunni divide on regional stability and security in the Middle East? Make sure to explain your answer.