A comprehensive and timely survey of Middle Eastern international relations, Tareq Ismael provides in-depth analysis of the interrelated dimensions of confrontation that have entangled almost every aspect of life in the region, transforming it into a 'penetrated political system'. Essential for readers interested in the Middle East, international relations, politics, history and public policy.

Contents: The Regional System: regional dynamics in historical perspective, Jacqueline S. Ismael and Tareq Y. Ismael; The state: globalization and the Middle East, Richard Falk. The Regional System After the Gulf War: Hydropolitics in the Middle East, Hilal Elver; The Gulf War, economic and financial linkages and Arab economic development: Iraq: the pivot?, Paul Sullivan; The Middle East after the Gulf War: Balance of power and nuclear deterrence, Adel Safty; Some international law implications of the Oslo/Cairo framework for the PLO/Israeli peace process, Richard Falk. The Global Context: Britain's shadows: post-colonialism and Palestine, John Strawson; Post-communist Eastern Europe and the Middle East: the burden of history and new political realities, Andrej Kreutz; A new orientalism: Europe confronts the Middle East, Phillip Marfleet; The American shadow: U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, Jeff Helsing; The United Nations and the Muslim world: allies or adversaries?, Ali A. Mazrui; The global Ummah and the British Commonwealth: four ethical revolutions, Ali A. Mazrui.