The Contemporary Middle East Series provides the first systematic attempt at studying the key actors of the dynamic, complex and strategically important MENA region, employing an innovative common format which in each case study provides an easily-digestible analysis of the origins of the state, its contemporary politics, economics and international relations.
By Abdel Salam Sidahmed, Alsir Sidahmed
December 08, 2011
Stretching between the savannah and the equator, Sudan is a microcosm of Africa, with one leg in the Arab world and the other in Africa. Sudan's development, however, has failed to address the differences within the country between its diverse ethnic communities. This has resulted in political ...
By Beverley Milton-Edwards, Peter Hinchcliffe
July 13, 2009
Created as a mechanism for maintaining British influence through a local patron, Jordan’s future never looked certain. Nevertheless, under the leadership of the Hashemite monarchy led by Abdullah and then his grandson Hussein, the Kingdom of Jordan became a permanent feature on the map of the ...
By Tim Niblock
April 12, 2006
Saudi Arabia provides a clear, concise yet analytical account of the development of the Saudi state. It details the country’s historical and religious background, its oil rentier economy and its international role, showing how they interact to create the dynamics of the contemporary Saudi state. ...
By Clive Jones, Emma C. Murphy
December 07, 2001
Often regarded as the only true manifestation of political pluralism in the contemporary Middle East, the state of Israel has dominated the history and politics of the region for over fifty years. Yet despite its position as a regional superpower, Israel continues to struggle with the whole issue ...
By Meliha Altunisik, Özlem Tür
January 11, 2005
The authors put issues relevant to Turkey today – such as consolidating democracy, dealing with economic development issues, improving its human rights record and its foreign policy – in an historical context, allowing comparisons with other late developers in the world and reflecting the...
By Raymond Hinnebusch
September 27, 2002
This study examines the development of the Syrian state as it has emerged under thirty-five years of military-Ba'thist rule and, particularly, under President Hafiz al-Asad. It analyzes the way in which the fragility of the post-independence state, unable to contain rising nationalist struggle and ...