The red sea is one of the worlds strategic arteries. History, said stephen, is a nightmare from which i am trying to escape. The international politics of the middle east manchesteropenhive. The cold war and the middle east redresses the balance by concentrating on the policies of the local actors.
Cold war foreign policy gripped by anticommunist paranoia. It was the site of some of the world s earliest civilizations and the birthplace of three great religionsjudaism, christianity, and islam. The best middle east political science books of 2014. In this book, we seek to provide key historical knowledge and. As competition continues for a vital resource, the strategic calculations of major and minor countries alike place prominent emphasis on the pumping, refining, transport, sale and use of petroleum products. Before discussing the middle east as a region it is important to bear two things in mind. Commensurately, increasing us production of shale oil and gas which has helped the us become the worlds largest oil producer for the first time since 1973 will continue to displace middle eastern oil in the markets of north america and europe, therefore creating a virtuous cycle between china and the middle east. And with the latest conflict in gaza, the middle east is more violent. After a brief introduction to the study of the region, the early chapters of the book survey the essentials of middle eastern history. Second edition regional international politics raymond hinnebusch on.
Saudi arabia has the largest deposits and is the world s leading oil producer and exporter. The international politics of the middle east oapen. The first time a western power got soaked in the politics of oil in the middle east was toward the end of 1914, when british soldiers landed at basra, in southern iraq, to protect oil supplies from neighboring persia. Peacock a view from cairo mohamed riad israel and the middle east rony gabbay comments martin indyk the plo and the prospects for peace in the middle east andrew mack comments martin indyk oil, arabism and islam. External intervention, interstate war, political upheaval and interethnic violence are compounded by the vagaries of oil prices and the claims of military, nationalist and religious movements.
Zionism is a religious and political effort that brought thousands of jews from around the world back to their ancient homeland in the middle east and reestablished israel as the central location. The contributors to this volume are leading scholars in the field whose interests combine international relations and middle eastern studies. The ap world history course will test your knowledge of middle eastern history from the sumer civilization on the ephrates and tigris rivers to the current age of nation states. The middle east in the world offers students a fresh, comprehensive, multidisciplinary entry point to the broader middle east. I tend to be most interested in the arab world, and didnt include any books primarily focused on.
Large selection and many more categories to choose from. The middle east might require american attention and management, but it was also a source of dangers and distractions that most u. After presenting some analytical perspectives that shed light on the weakness of regional institutions in the middle east, it presents the main institutional features of six regional, subregional, or hybrid organizations including the arab league, the. The middle east is, and has always been, of major global economic and political importance. A guide to middle east politics in 2014 world news the. The best middle east political science books of 2014 the. James joyce, ulysses the end of the twentieth century and the onset of the twentyfirst have not been kind to students of international relations, let alone to those of the middle east. The historians thoughts on how the world of the present might prepare for an uncertain future are distilled, with artistic licence. The middle east in international relations may well be regarded as his chef doeuvre, bringing together as it does not only the borad range of his earlier writings on the area but also a formidable array of other contributions. A guide to middle east politics in 2014 from egypt to syria, palestine to iraq, the hopes of the arab spring lie in tatters.
The middle east hold the position of the bridge between east and west but steadily the middle east had started to personify east for westerners. Its a history of oil on all continents, not just the middle east. The discovery of vast oil deposits revolutionized the middle east s economy. The importance of business relationships in the middle east. Middle eastern culture can be best understood by studying the politics, economics, religion, social life, intellectual life, and art. The challenge posed by islamic extremism is likely to be complicated by any number of other factors as the middle east grapples with the third wave of geopolitics. Political objectives, as had been the case in the dardanelles.
Governance in the middle east and north african will be essential reading for scholars, activists and policy makers. It looks at the politics of the region not just from the outside in but from the inside out. Politics, religion, economics, culture, perspectives on international relations are all thoroughly and well developed. The purpose of the current research is to shed light on the united states economic and political presence in the middle east region before and after world war i and after world war ii to understand how united states presence has developed in the region and what motives were behind its presence. More than half of the world s known oil reserves are found in the region, although they are not equally distributed. The term has come into wider usage as a replacement of the term near east as opposed to the far east beginning in the early 20th century. Home to the cradle of civilization, the middle east interchangeable with the near east has seen many of the world s oldest cultures and civilizations. Conflict in the middle east is about more than just religion.
International studies in sociology and social anthropology, volume. Middle east is considered as the birthplace of three major religions and civilizations comprising of multiple countries inhabited by various ethnic groups. Through case studies of americas relationships with iran, israel. Wwi and beyond world war i completed the european takeover of the ottoman empires territories in the middle east, and the regions modern boundaries emerged. The role that religion in politics in the middle east. A longtime bestseller, politics and change in the middle east employs a multidisciplinary approach to comprehensively and evenhandedly study the regions past, present, and future. Apr 19, 2016 one of these obstacles when thinking about the middle east is the approach to relationships in business. The changing relationship between turkeyuniquely positioned in both the west and the eastand its neighbors in the middle east was examined at a united states institute of peace conference entitled a reluctant neighbor. Pack these insightful new books on the middle east, islam and politics as you head off to vacation. But as such, it is also forcibly a history of the middle east s most powerful economic and political engine of the 20th century.
This history started from the earliest human settlements, continuing through several major pre and postislamic empires through to the nationstates of the middle east. Turkeys role in the middle east united states institute of. First published in 1981, this edited collection analyses many of the crucial issues that have had international repercussions during the second half of the twentieth century, with each paper considering the p. The middle east is a transcontinental region which includes western asia although generally excluding the caucasus and all of egypt which is mostly in north africa. For these reasons, the middle east has been a major center of world affairs. This volume provides an account of international relations in the contemporary middle east.
Aimed at western readers, the texts are the kind youd expect to find on a middle eastern studies course at university. After employing the regional security complex theory rsct in order to define and delimit the region of the middle east. Its certainly not oil, which is the lazy explanation. Mar 23, 2017 the early 20th century was a crucial point for the development of the middle east. Jul 03, 2017 pack these insightful new books on the middle east, islam and politics as you head off to vacation. Historically, the middle east was the strategically important region in terms of the world politics and economy. More a history book rather than a book on contemporary mideast politics, but stephen kinzers all the shahs men is a fantastic read. A rich history marked by numerous states, populations shaping its identity since the prehistory. Jan 16, 2020 scans of preschoolers brains show a stark difference in brain development when read to by a parent as compared to when they are playing on screens alone, studies show. Commensurately, increasing us production of shale oil and gas which has helped the us become the world s largest oil producer for the first time since 1973 will continue to displace middle eastern oil in the markets of north america and europe, therefore creating a virtuous cycle between china and the middle east. Disruptions to maritime traffic through the red sea have historically had farreaching implica. The israelis can claim or wish to, at least that lord balfours declaration of 1917 promised britain support for a jewish homeland in palestine, which didnt just mean the lefthand bit that became israel. Pax africana or middle east security alliance in the horn of. That is what the modern middle eastern geopolitics have usually been about.
Yergins conversational style is a good fit whether hes explaining opecs imperium on western economies or the first hints of peak oil theory. But its been 37 years since the oilrich arab states once refused to sell their oil, and they couldnt do that again. Petroleum politics have been an increasingly important aspect of diplomacy since the rise of the petroleum industry in the middle east in the early 20th century. The strategic importance of this crossroads between continents and its relationship to the world conflict were again emphasized by the clash of arms. The middle east in world politics routledge revivals 1st.
The middle east is important due to its rich history, the origin of first civilizations and major monotheist faiths and its strategic position and owning the major resources that the most powerful countries fight in a sort of nonspoken war. The international relations of the middle east have long been dominated by uncertainty and conflict. Regardless of the administration, the united states has long reiterated a consistent set of interests in the middle east that have guided u. Discover the best middle eastern politics in best sellers. Why america cant quit the middle east hoover institution. Essays on sports and politics in the middle east and north africa is a compilation of essays that constitute a first stab at exploring the importance of sports in general and soccer in particular in the political, social and cultural development of the middle east and north africa since the beginning of the 20th century. Prior to 1950, the region exhibited low levels of socioeconomic development. Ir theory and transformation in the greater middle east. Pdf introduction to the international politics of the middle east. Strategically situated at the intersection of europe, asia, and africa, the middle east has long been an important focus of united states foreign policy. There has never been agreement on a definition of the middle east. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The middle east in world politics routledge revivals by.
At that time, the united states had little interest in middle east oil or in any political designs on the region. Since 2011, the contemporary middle east has entered an era of uncertainty characterized by protest politics, new conflicts in countries like syria, rising ethnic tensions, insurgency, and terrorism. The middle east in international relations by fred halliday. These factors owe as much to history, geography, domestic factors, regional alliances, or western influence as. Apart from the arab nations, israels very existence and identity remains tied to judaism 339. Oil is quite important in the global economy, and the middle east has a large share of the market and an even bigger share of the reserves. Learn more about our service, and how to try it free. Jan 07, 2016 more a history book rather than a book on contemporary mideast politics, but stephen kinzers all the shahs men is a fantastic read. In conclusion, i see religion in politics as a very important issue in the middle east because it determines the current and future role of the region in the world community. It is also known as the home of three major world religions. Cover the international politics of the middle east.
Philip seib, new media and the middle east 2007 ariveiko anttiroiko editor, mattia malkic editor, encyclopedia of digital government 2006 books on world cyberpolitics in languages other than english. East, west home is best books and arts the economist. Last falls suez crisis restored the middle east to proper perspective in the war offices of the world. First published in 1981, this edited collection analyses many of the crucial issues that have had international repercussions during the second half of the. Asian media strike a better balance, but western media, and any other media that basically follow the american news agenda, focus obsessively on the region. It is just as important to set the agenda in world politics and attract others as it is to force them to change through the threat or use of military or. In recent times its enormous deposits of oil have made the middle east more important than ever. The middle east has been a central focus of the united states foreign policy. Its immaculately researched, and really should be required reading for anyone interested in iran or the middle. What are some good books to learn about middle east politics. The introduction to this book surveyed the main ir theories that have been used by scholars to understand the mena area. Jul 27, 2017 being born and brought up in the middle east, ive read quite a few books that try to understand the political scenario in that part of the world, especially after the arab spring. Isis and other groups will benefit from the coming demise of american global power and the diminishing interest of the united states in the middle east. The emerging regional architecture of world politics world.
Does the wests impotence in the middle east and north africa really contribute to. Best books on the middle east, 2011 foreign policy. The area is not solely populated by arabs but also kurds, turks, iranians and more. The media in the middle east carry a lot of middle eastern stories, of course, but why do most of the other media in the world do the same. First published in 1981, this edited collection analyses many of the crucial issues that have had international repercussions during the second half of the twentieth century, with each paper considering the particular regional problems within the widest possible political framework. Regional organizations in the middle east oxford handbooks. Firstly the middle east is not a homogenous region. Jan 01, 1990 one of the most in depth and well researched books on the subject of the middle east and the rise of islam. Politics in the middle east, far from being solely an issue of islamic resurgence as is often presented by western media, actually reflects a complex mixture of issues that include nationalism. As this useful volume of essays argues, the foreign policies of middle eastern states are guided by various and complex motivations. Given the vast energy resources that form the backbone of western economies, influence and involvement in the middle east has been of paramount importance for the former and current imperial and super powers, including france, britain, usa and the former soviet union.
What conclusions can we draw about the peoples and politics of this important region of the world. Mar 18, 2014 the middle east is, and has always been, of major global economic and political importance. During the golden age, the islamic world was ruled by a caliphate, enjoyed political superiority, and made important advances in science and philosophy. Politics and society in the contemporary middle east. Three of the world s major religions the monotheist traditions of judaism, christianity, and islam were all born in the middle east and are all inextricably linked to one another. This study takes the middle east to be constituted around an arab. Political uprisings, religious significance, and petroleum resources have combined to make the political life of the middle east crucially important to the rest of the world. The recent focus on arabisraeli relations has helped foster the belief that middle east diplomacy can be reduced to that single dimension. Apart from the very valid materialistic answers pointing out that the middle east is important because of its oil, there is also a religious aspect not to be overlooked, as it was and continues to be important for millions of sometimes very fanati. Through politics, economics, culture, and history, this text offers a rugged analytical framework that familiarizes students with the middle east and helps them to critically evaluate. The greater middle east in global politics social science. But as such, it is also forcibly a history of the middle easts most powerful economic and political engine of the 20th century.
The middle east, wolfowitz lamented, was an area where people only know how to create problems. All formats available for pc, mac, ebook readers and other mobile devices. This new handbook presents the first comprehensive framework of the question of governance in the middle east in its various forms and manifestations. My middle east politics summer reading picks the washington. Economically, the middle east is known for its vast oil reserves. The middle easts shifting energy politics chatham house. Because of its economic, religious, and geographical location, the middle east has been at the center of many world issues and political affairs. Long neglected in scholarship and policymaking, it has suddenly emerged as a priority for security policy in the middle east, europe, china and the united states. This book begins with an introduction to key aspects of middle eastern politics, including the influences of tribalism, kinship, and the islamic faith. American alliance policy in the middle east provides a stimulating, new look at a u. The strategic importance of this crossroads between continents and its relationship to the world conflict were again emphasized by the clash of arms in an area where man first raised sword to man. The remaining chapters provide a closer look at six countries whose. Rethinking middle east politics is concerned to formulate a new way of analysing politics in the middle east, developing a perspective which has major implications for rethinking third world politics more generally and for the social and political theory of modernity. The middle east in world politics routledge revivals.
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