Includes bibliographical references (p. 248-253) and index.

Global studies, the Middle East -- Middle East, theater of conflict -- Middle East, heartland of Islam -- Country Reports: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen -- Articles from the World Press -- Egypt vote shows unease with democracy / D. Murphy -- Bloody stalemate persists / the Economist; Time for a bi-national state / L. Farsakh -- Crisis to crisis / the Economist -- U.S. group reaches deal to provide laptops to all Libyan schoolchildren / J. Markoff -- Deadlock in the desert / the Economist -- Avoiding political talk, Saudis and Chinese build trade / H.M. Fattah -- Guns and votes / the Economist -- Fearful of restive foreign labor, Dubai eyes reforms / J. DeParle -- Social security / L. Allen -- Lifting the veil / H. Munson -- Human rights of women and social transformation in the Arab Middle East / H. Alvi -- New day in Iran / A. Molavi.

Included in this book are background essays and important statistics for the countries of the Middle East, with regional essays underscoring the current and historical significance of Islam as well as the forces that make the Middle East a theater of conflict in the world today. In addition, a wide selection of articles from newspapers and magazines from around the world are reprinted in this volume. The complexity and interrelationship of today's global society demand an understanding of other countries and other people. This book provides a starting point for fostering this essential international understanding.

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