This exciting new book for students of Middle Eastern politics provides a comprehensive introduction to the complexities of the region, its politics and people. Combining a thematic framework for examining patterns of politics with individual chapters dedicated to specific countries, the book explores current issues within an historical context.

Presenting information in an accessible and inclusive format, the book offers:

• coverage of the historical influence of colonialism and major world powers on the shaping of the modern Middle East
• a detailed examination of the legacy of Islam
• analysis of the political and social aspects of Middle Eastern life: alienation between state and society, poverty and social inequality, ideological crises and renewal
• case studies on countries in the Northern Belt (Turkey and Iran); the Fertile Crescent (Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Israel and Palestine); and those West and East of the Red Sea (Egypt and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council).
• extensive pedagogical features, including original maps and detailed further reading sections, provide essential support for the reader.

A key introductory text for students of Middle Eastern politics and history at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate levels, this book will also be a significant reference for policy-makers and any motivated reader.

这本激动人心的新书为研究中东政治的学生提供了关于该地区、其政治和人民复杂性的全面介绍。本书将研究政治模式的主题框架与专门讨论具体国家的个别章节相结合，在历史背景下探讨当前的问题。

本书以一种易懂和包容的形式呈现信息，提供了

涵盖了殖民主义和世界主要大国对现代中东的塑造的历史影响

对伊斯兰教的遗产进行了详细研究

对中东生活的政治和社会方面的分析：国家和社会之间的疏离、贫困和社会不平等、意识形态危机和复兴

对北部地带（土耳其和伊朗）、新月沃土（伊拉克、叙利亚和黎巴嫩、以色列和巴勒斯坦）以及红海西部和东部的国家（埃及和海湾合作委员会成员）进行案例研究。

广泛的教学特点，包括原始地图和详细的进一步阅读部分，为读者提供了必要的支持。

本书是中东政治和历史专业高年级本科生和研究生的重要入门教材，也是政策制定者和任何有心的读者的重要参考资料。