| Arab Socialist Nationalism | Religious Nationalism |
| 1. In 1968 a coup took place in Iraq in which Saddam Hussein came to power. | 1. In many cases the opposition to the US and the US backed regimes took religious colours. |
| 2. They meant by socialism, the nationalization of oil resources and the use of revenues by the state to fund welfare measures for the citizens. | 2. Nationalist forces fostered the idea of establishing religious orthodaxy in those countries. |
| 3. These combined welfare measures with autocratic and dictatorial rule of a ruler or a small group. | 3. In 1979 in Iran a new joint government of Shia Islamic clerics and elected leaders started. |
| 4. These regimes did not allow opposition or democratic protest against themselves. | 4. Beginning of the 21st century witnessed growing discontent among the Arabs resulted in the growth of religious terrorism. |
