This is a timely guide that puts Middle Eastern politics, people, and problems in perspective. With the U.S. gearing up for war with Iraq, Al Qaeda terrorists still on the loose, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seething, the Middle East is constantly in the news. But how do people keep track of all the countries, factions, and issues involved? This plain-English guide provides the solution. Taking readers behind the headlines, it demystifies the history and conflicts of this complex region from the Ottoman Empire and the Balfour Declaration to the Intifada and the Gulf War and offers an even-handed analysis of why events in the Middle East continue to reverberate throughout the world. With profiles of major leaders and incisive examinations of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, terrorism, Muslim fundamentalism, and the oil industry, this book is required reading for anyone who wants to understand what's going on in the world's most volatile region. Craig Davis (Knoxville, MD) received a dual PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and Religious Studies from Indiana University in 2002. He has studied in Jordan and Pakistan as well as in the United States. His teaching competencies include Islamic studies, Middle Eastern studies, history, and Arabic. Davis currently works for the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Getting Acquainted with the Middle East. Chapter 1: The Middle East's Relevance in the 21st Century. Chapter 2: Charting a Map. Chapter 3: Middle Eastern Hospitality. Part II: The History of the Middle East. Chapter 4: The Ancient Middle East. Chapter 5: The Medieval Middle East. Chapter 6: The Modern Middle East. Part III: Politics, Islam, and Oil: Three Reasons Not to Ignore the Middle East. Chapter 7: Leadership: Kings, Presidents, and Dictators. Chapter 8: Islamic Militancy in a Nutshell. Chapter 9: Islam and the West. Chapter 10: It's All About the Oil: Economics in the Middle East. Part IV: Regions in Turmoil. Chapter 11: The Powder Keg: Israel and Palestine. Chapter 12: Iraq. Chapter 13: Afghanistan. Chapter 14: Pakistan. Part V: Regions in Repair. Chapter 15: North Africa. Chapter 16: Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Chapter 17: The Arabian Peninsula. Chapter 18: Non--Arab Muslim States. Part VI: Cultural Contributions of the Middle East. Chapter 19: A Mosaic of Religions. Chapter 20: Religions on the Edge. Chapter 21: The Family: The Hub of Middle Eastern Life. Chapter 22: Language and Literature. Chapter 23: Arts and Sciences. Part VII: The Part of Tens. Chapter 24: Ten Key Ethnic Groups. Chapter 25: Ten Key Militant Groups. Chapter 26: Ten Key Challenges. Index.

About the Author

Craig S. Davis received a dual PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and Religious Studies from Indiana University. His teaching competencies include Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies.