Interpreting the Middle East: Essential Themes / Edition 1

by David Sorenson

Overview

Contemporary approaches to comparative studies of the Middle East increasingly recognize how globalization and regional mass communication have blurred differences across countries. Populations travel across national borders and compare narratives about political change, economic futures, and the role of the outside world in shaping their lives. Organized by five principal themes of a regional overview, politics, economic development, social context, and international issues, Interpreting the Middle East provides a vibrant introduction to the Middle East that is compatible with this regionalist perspective. Invited authorities contribute insightful and accessible original discussions of central headline-fresh issues such as the aftermath of the Iraq war, Iran's regional ambitions, developments in the Israeli'Palestinian conflict, and the global politics of Middle East oil, gender, and religion. Section introductions by the editor integrate the contributions, and suggested readings, a glossary, and a biographical list of key persons provide helpful guidance for readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813344409
Publisher:	Westview Press
Publication date:	03/02/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	458
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Dr. David S. Sorenson is professor of national security studies at the US Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Professor Sorenson formerly served on the faculties of Denison University and the University of Colorado at Denver, and was a fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Ohio State University. The author or editor of numerous works on Middle East politics, defense budget politics, and national security affairs, Professor Sorenson has also served as Chair of the International Security Studies Section of the International Studies Association, and Chair of the International Security and Arms Control Section of the American Political Science Association.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Preface ix

1 Interpreting the Middle East David S. Sorenson 1

Part 1 Demography and Historical Memory 31

2 Demographic Development Onn Winckler 35

3 Historical Memory and Contemporary Affairs Glenn E. Perry 61

Part 2 Politics 93

4 Drivers of Political Change in the Middle East and North Africa Dafna H. Rand 97

5 Civil-Military Relations David S. Sorenson 125

Part 3 Political Economy 157

6 Political Economy Chantel Pheiffer Gregory White 163

7 Political Economies of the Maghreb Clement M. Henry 185

Part 4 Social Contexts 213

8 Gender Amy Elizabeth Young 219

9 The Islamic Awakening Raymond William Baker 249

10 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Christopher Hemmer 281

11 Conflict in Western Sahara Yahia H. Zoubir 303

12 The Political Economy of Modern Iraq Eric Davis 337

13 Iran's Regional Foreign Policy Manochehr Dorraj 363

14 Global Energy and the Middle East Steve Yetiv 383

Glossary 407

Biographies of Key People 413

Chronology of Significant Middle Past Events 421

Contributors 423

Index 427

Editorial Reviews

An innovative and thought-provoking set of readings by a distinguished group of scholars of the Middle East and North Africa covering a wide range of relevant themes, issues, and concerns made particularly accessible by the book's organizational clarity that highlights demography, politics, political economy, social contexts, and international dimensions. An ideal compliment to undergraduate textbooks of the Middle East that includes a useful glossary, biographies of key persons, and a chronology of significant MENA events.”
—John P. Entelis, Fordham University

“Interpreting the Middle East is both a timely guide through the richly variegated politics, cultures, histories and economies of the region, and a lively set of arguments about the projections and distortions that continue to obscure its complexities from view. The contributors approach different aspects of the Middle East by way of diverse and somewhat eclectic political and methodological lenses; the effect is fittingly prismatic and highly engaging.”
—Roxanne L. Euben, Wellesley College

From the Publisher