Middle East Realities A Guide To Understanding 2nd Edition

The perceptions and attitudes that exist today between the East and the West had their origins in former times and earlier civilizations but have been exacerbated by current day acts of hostility and the re-emergence of an intimidating ideology. This seemingly unending conflict is no longer confined to the Middle East but is now wreaking havoc on a good part of the western world, changing lifestyles and decimating economies. We are engaged in a war against terror without clearly understanding the enemy we face or the inspiration behind the zeal that drives people to bring harm to us—at any cost. Middle East Realities recounts the genesis of today’s conflict, reviews the histories and natures of the key players and explains those factors that drive their actions. This brief and easy-to-read book aims to leave the reader with an improved understanding of this debilitating and broadening concern that is growing increasingly perilous and ever intrusive.

The perceptions and attitudes that exist today between the East and the West had their origins in former times and earlier civilizations but have been exacerbated by modern day acts of aggression and subjugation. This seemingly unending conflict is now wreaking havoc on a good part of the western world, changing lifestyles and decimating economies. We are engaged in a war against terror without clearly understanding the enemy we face or the inspiration behind the zeal that drives him to bring harm to usat any cost. Middle East Realities reviews the histories of key players in the Middle East, recounts the genesis of todays conflict and deals with some of the myths and realities revolving around hotly contested issues, including radicalism no longer contained within the confines of the original dispute. This brief and easy-to-read book aims to leave the reader with an improved appreciation of this debilitating issue which is growing increasingly intrusive and costly.

A century ago, as World War I got underway, the Middle East was dominated, as it had been for centuries, by the Ottoman Empire. But by 1923, its political shape had changed beyond recognition, as the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the insistent claims of Arab and Turkish nationalism and Zionism led to a redrawing of borders and shuffling of alliances—a transformation whose consequences are still felt today. This fully revised and updated second edition of Making the Modern Middle East traces those changes and the ensuing history of the region through the rest of the twentieth century and on to the present. Focusing in particular on three leaders—Emir Feisal, Mustafa Kemal, and Chaim Weizmann—the book offers a clear, authoritative account of the region seen from a transnational perspective, one that enables readers to understand its complex history and the way it affects present-day events.

Why Is the Middle East Entering a “New Era?” Is It a New Dawn? Is It a Setting Sun? In the third decade of the twenty-first century, the Middle East is entering a new era. A multifaceted and intricate equilibrium will write the next chapter of this region. The new era we are entering is fraught with challenges and full of opportunities. The new era is both defined by, and a result of, a combination of ancient and modern, domestic, regional, and international processes. Iran and Turkey each strive to position themselves as the regional superpower. In parallel, the people of the region struggle to overcome increasing domestic challenges. These developments, combined with an escalating struggle over path, identity, and direction, could result in a new model of statehood in the Arab world. While some countries take the turbulent path toward a possible new statehood model, others are fighting for their sovereignty and survival. All of this is occurring while Western hegemony in the Middle East is coming to an end and the Eastern giants are on the rise. Acclaimed Middle East expert, an Israeli fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Avi Melamed has a proven exceptional record of foreseeing the evolution of events in the Middle East and their impact on a local and regional level. In this book, Melamed takes you on a fascinating eye-opening journey through the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East in the third decade of the twenty first century. He challenges common Western concepts, narratives, and theories. And he provides predictions about some of the most central regional issues of the day. Using primarily sources from the region, Avi Melamed provides a professional, rare insider’s view and clearly and insightfully contextualizes current regional events. Inside The Middle East: Entering a New Era provides the knowledge and tools to connect the dots. This distinct understanding allows the reader to build a multidimensional picture of the geopolitical reality of the Middle East today and provides an unparalleled foundation for navigating the events of tomorrow.

This 2-volume work includes approximately 1,200 entries in A-Z order, critically reviewing the literature on specific topics from abortion to world systems theory. In addition, nine major entries cover each of the major disciplines (political economy; management and business; human geography; politics; sociology; law; psychology; organizational behavior) and the history and development of the social sciences in a broader sense.

The Middle East has long been a place where religions, cultures, and politics clash--today more than ever. How can a region called "the cradle of civilization" continue to face uprisings and violence? This guide is an objective, professional, and informed resource that will help you understand the fascinating area, covering such topics as: All the Middle Eastern nations (including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey, and Syria) The history of the first civilizations and the rise of empires The roots of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict Threats of ongoing terrorism and the demise of Osama bin Laden Recent revolutions and coups in nations like Egypt and their future Packed with easy-to-follow information and history, this handbook will broaden your understanding while following current headlines. With this guide, you'll learn to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of this region.

Truly an essential reference for today's world, this detailed introduction to the origins, events, and impact of the adversarial relationship between Arabs and Israelis illuminates the complexities and the consequences of this long-lasting conflict. The Arab-Israeli conflict remains one of the most contentious in modern history, one with repercussions that reach far beyond the Middle East. This volume describes and explains the most important countries, people, events, and organizations that play or have played a part in the conflict. Chronological coverage begins with the Israeli War of Independence in 1948 and extends to the present day. A one-stop reference, the guide offers a comprehensive overview essay, as well as perspective essays by leading scholars who explore such widely debated issues as the United States' support for Israel and historic rights to Palestine. Important primary source documents, such as the UN Resolution on the Partition of Palestine and the Camp David Accords, are included and put into context. Further insight into drivers of war and peace in the Middle East are provided through biographies of major political leaders like Menachem Begin, Golda Meir, Yasser Arafat, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Anwar Sadat.