Overview
Is peace in the Middle East possible? How about freedom? How can either be possible with the rampant fundamentalism? In this video, John Stossel examines the spread of Western/Enlightenment ideals and the movement away from fundamentalism.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Other
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• explain the struggle for freedom in the Middle East;
• discuss the growing influence of Western/Enlightenment ideals in the Middle East;
• propose a course of action to increase freedom in the Middle East and elsewhere; and
• evaluate the efforts of Ideas Beyond Borders to impact the future of the Middle East.

Key concepts and terms covered
Fundamentalism, Enlightenment, Theocrats, Caliphate, Repression, and Arab Spring.

Sample discussion questions
• Why do many citizens in the Middle East not have the freedoms we have in the United States?
• To what does Faisal attribute the decline of religion in young people’s lives in the Middle East?
• Why would translating and distributing articles and books about rights be popular in the Middle East? Why would it be unpopular?
• Faisal said that some people believed in what ISIS advocated, but seeing women beheaded and gays thrown from rooftops made them question religious rule. Why?
• What do you think, is the Middle East moving toward better days or will rule by fundamentalists stop Western/Enlightenment ideals from taking hold?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 7-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.