The Middle East and the United States;
A Study in the Politics of Conflict, Violence and Power

This unit is quite different from previous units, both in its material and in how you can earn high marks. There is an extraordinary amount of information in this unit, and there are many excellent websites, documentaries, and sources for information, as well as a host of books.  If you wish to do well in this unit, I urge you to use these resources or follow the news closely.  I should also add that many strong views swirl around these topics – another reason to look at a variety of sources.

Your goal for the test is to be able to write an intelligent informed essay about four key aspects of the Middle East (ME) for US policy (listed below).  You may emphasize one more than the others; that is you can focus your attention in this unit on one of the aspects (but do not utterly neglect the other three!).  One of the key goals of this unit is to discover the very different, complex and interrelated problems that are bundled under simplistic names such as “Middle East Crisis”, “terrorism”, or “Islamic fundamentalism.”

The material in this unit, moreso than earlier units, is quite controversial.  Prepare for this by speaking up for views you value or wish to examine and by analytically addressing views you find mistaken or offensive.  Remember, “diplomacy is not talking to your friends; it is talking to your enemies.”

Topics covered:

1. Israeli-Palestinian conflict (1948-2007!)
2. Iraq and the two wars (1991, 2003)
3. Iran and Islamic fundamentalism
4. Terrorism

The final exam will be on Monday, May 21st.