Iraqi Tribal and Familial Ties

Islam is a tribal religion, born out of a tribe on the Arabian peninsula. The Arab world remains largely tribal, even with the creation of the modern nation-state. This became all the more evident when the insurgency in Iraq heated-up and Sunnis joined Shiites to fight American and Allied forces. In short, Iraqis set aside religious differences, reverting instead to tribal alliances. Experts Ali Al-Arabi, writer on the culture and politics of the Middle East and the National director of United Arab American League, and Patrick Graham, a Canadian freelance writer and author of the cover story in the June issue of Harper's Magazine titled "Beyond Fallujah: A Year with the Iraqi Resistance," join guest Host Patt Morrison to discuss Iraqi, and Arab, tribal and familial alliances.