Middle East: Region in Transition

A long, often fractious history has shaped relations between present-day Israel and the emerging Palestinian autonomous areas. This area of the MIddle East has a significant role as the cradle of two of the world's major monotheistic religions and as well as a home to ancient sacred monuments and relics. This penetrating volume traces the history of land that is beloved and claimed by two cultures that share a common past and have been inexorably linked for centuries, based primarily on their love for-and claim to-a common homeland.

Iran's cultural and historical significance is unquestionable. The land of celebrated poets such as Rumi and Hafez, as well as the magnificent ruins of Persepolis, it is a place where ancient traditions are revered. With over half of its population under the age of 30, however, Iran also embraces modernity, all the while never losing sight of the various Persian, Turkic, Arab, and Islamic influences that have made the country what it is today. This absorbing volume considers the geographical, cultural, political, and historical elements of this often turbulent, but always fascinating, country.

While they share a border and a rich heritage, Saudi Arabia and Yemen are also a study in contrasts. Where Saudi Arabia has a largely urban population that enjoys the benefits of its thriving economy, Yemen is home to predominantly rural citizens and is one of the poorest countries in the world. Within these pages, readers will encounter the long, intertwined histories of these two nations, as well as their individual struggles for prosperity and peace-with each other and the rest of the world.

Though smaller than most other Arab countries, the gulf states of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates represent some of the most fascinating areas of the Middle East. A blend of traditional and modern, most of these states have become wealthy with oil money, which has allowed them to welcome foreign workers from diverse backgrounds, while retaining their Arab character. This absorbing volume surveys the organization, culture, and history of each of these states and their efforts to balance their ties with the Arab and international communities.

Venerated as the cradle of civilization since the days of ancient Mesopotamia, Iraq served as an intellectual and cultural center in the Arab world for much of its history. Unwilling to let the turbulence of the 20th and 21st centuries eclipse their rich culture and society, the Iraqi people endeavor to secure a hopeful, prosperous future for their country. This thoughtful volume chronicles the major events in Iraqi history and the traditions, customs, and ideas that have shaped its trajectory since the Arab conquests.

The dynasties of ancient Egypt's pharaohs are among the more storied elements of Egypt's rich heritage, but the long era of foreign rule that followed has in many ways been more crucial to the development of Egypt's present-day ethos. While engendering much turbulence, this layered past has also made Egypt an intellectual hub that has spawned some of the most seminal works in Arab art and literature. This volume examines the Egyptian land and its peoples, culture, and history.

While each country's centrality to the future of Middle East politics and strategy remains unequivocal, the social and cultural traditions of Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan reveal a robust blend of Mediterranean and Arab influences. Home to diverse populations who have experienced centuries of exposure to an array of influences, each country boasts ancient monuments that testify to its ability to withstand conflict and absorb various peoples and ideas. This rich volume profiles the intertwined histories of these three countries and the geographic, economic, and social factors that have come to define each.