Combining thematic with country-by-country analysis, this new book gives an overview of Middle Eastern history, religion, political economy & politics. Providing an accessible introduction to the politics of the Middle East, including the countries of the Persian Gulf, the eastern Mediterranean & North Africa, this text combines essential themes in the discipline of comparative politics with a country-by-country analysis of the Modern Middle East. While emphasizing politics, separate chapters also specifically address the history, religions & political economy of the region. Those introductory chapters together constitute a thematic overview essential to orienting students as they read each of the book's individual country chapters (including a chapter devoted to Palestine). In each country chapter, a brief political history is followed by discussions of democratization, religious politics, women's issues, civil society, economic development, privatization & foreign relations. Throughout the book, short vignettes based on the author's personal observations during his extensive travels in the Middle East offer students a chance for personal reflection on the topics discussed in each chapter. Each chapter concludes with a set of Suggested Readings, & terms are defined in a glossary.