Iraq

It’s been suggested that the Sept. 11 attacks may be tied to President Saddam Hussein, the U.S. nemesis from the Gulf War. Iraq has sympathizers in many Arab nations as a result of the effects of U.S.-backed economic sanctions and air strikes. Osama bin Laden has reportedly criticized Saddam for attacking fellow Muslims and killing women and children, and for being too secular.

Area: 168,754 square miles, slightly more than twice the size of Idaho.

Population: 22 million.

Religion: Muslim, 97 percent (split between Shiite and Sunni).

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