Includes 115 two-color maps, accompanied by clear, concise text, providing a stunning and intriguing visual overview of the Middle East spanning the period from 2050 B.C. to the present.

From the Bronze Age to the twenty-first century, vying armies have clashed over the territory stretching from the Upper Nile to modern-day Iraq and Iran. Crossroads of War captures five millennia of conflict and conquest in detailed full-color maps, accompanied by incisive, accessible commentary. The lands of the Middle East were home to a succession of empiresâe"Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Persianâe"that rose and declined with the fortunes of battle. Kings and generals renowned in history bestrode the region: Nebuchadnezzar, David, Alexander the Great, Saladin, Napoleon. The religions of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam were born here and from the beginning became embroiled in conflicts ranging from the Maccabean Revolt to Muhammadâe(tm)s Arabian conquests to the Christian Crusades. In the twentieth century, the Middle East witnessed the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and played a role in the grim dramas of two world wars, as T. E. Lawrence helped spark the Arab Revolt and General Bernard Montgomery defeated Hitlerâe(tm)s Desert Fox, General Erwin Rommel, at El Alamein. From the Yom Kippur War and Operation Desert Storm to a Global War on Terror that still looms over the twenty-first century, the Middle East continues to be shaped by the vagaries and vicissitudes of military conflict. Crossroads of War offers valuable insights into the part of the world that first cradled civilization and then imagined its demise in a final clash of armies at Armageddon.

This revised and updated version of An Atlas of Middle Eastern Affairs provides accessible, concisely written entries on the most important current issues in the Middle East, combining maps with their geopolitical background. Offering a clear context for analysis of key concerns, it includes background topics, the position of the Middle East in the world and profiles of the constituent countries. Features include: Clearly and thematically organised sections covering the continuing importance of the Middle East, the background, fundamental concerns, the states and the crucial issues related to the area. Original maps integrated into the text, placing international issues and conflicts in their geographical contexts. Case studies and detailed analysis of each country, complete with relevant statistics and key facts. Coverage of fundamental considerations, such as: water shortage the petroleum industry conflicts and boundary issues A comprehensive further reading section, enabling students to cover the topic in more depth. Updated to include recent developments such as the "Arab Spring," this book is a valuable introduction to undergraduate students of political science and Middle East studies and is designed as a primary teaching aid for courses related to the Middle East in the areas of politics, history, geography, economics and military studies. This book is also an outstanding reference source for libraries and anyone interested in these fields.

With worldwide interest focused on the Middle East, this authoritative volume illuminates contributing factors to many of the region's hot-button issues. Includes fascinating history and reliable maps. 40 color photos.

Historical Atlas of the Modern Middle Eastis a comprehensive and comparative atlas of Middle Eastern history, beginning in the early modern period and continuing through the present. It is comprehensive because, unlike many other historical atlases, this work covers the entire region, as well as neighboring areas of Europe, Central Asia and South Asia. In addition, by providing successive maps drawn on the same base, along with accompanying explanatory text, the Atlas takes a chronologically comparative approach. This permits readers to follow the flow of historical developments and compare the same terrain in different eras.

Features political, physical, and thematic maps of the Middle East and North Africa, and includes information on the geography, people, government, and economy of 25 countries.