Country+Profiles


 * GENERAL**


 * MAPS**

Map of South Western Asia and the Middle East http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/small_middle_east_map.htm

Middle East http://www.projectvisa.com/regions/Middle_East

Ethnic maps of Afghanistan and Pakistan Look particularly how the Pashtun straddle the border for a large distance []

Tribal areas []

Pakistan []

Afghanistan []


 * NEWS**

a. Reuters http://www.reuters.com/news b. BBC News http://www.bbc.com/news/world c. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/ d. New York Times http://international.nytimes.com/ e. Wall Street Journal http://www.wsj.com/ f. Economist http://www.economist.com/

Countries included herein: [in alphabetical order]

Arab League Bahrain Egypt Gulf Cooperation Council Iran Islam Islamic State Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey United Arab Emirates Yemen


 * ARAB LEAGUE**

Arab League (Council on Foreign Relations) http://www.cfr.org/middle-east-and-north-africa/arab-league/p25967

Arab League profile (BBC News) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15747941


 * BAHRAIN**

Country Profiles (BBC News): **Bahrain** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14540571 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/bahrain_map.htm

From website:

1967 - Britain moves its main regional naval base from Aden to Bahrain. Bahrain now home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet

Members of the Sunni Muslim ruling family hold the main political and military posts. There are long- running tensions between Bahrain's Sunnis and the Shia Muslim majority.

1986 November - Opening of the King Fahd causeway which links Bahrain to the mainland of Saudi Arabia.

In early 2011 the government called in the Saudi military to crush protests by demonstrators demanding a greater say in government and an end to what Shias say is systematic discrimination against them in jobs and services.

The controversial decision to allow Bahrain to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix in April 2012 further galvanised protests.

It is thought that Prime Minister is a hardliner who is reluctant to make any concessions on the grounds that they will only encourage opposition leaders to make more demands.

Crown Prince Salman, on the other hand, is seen as a moderate

In Bahrain, the struggle behind Pearl Revolution still glows http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-05-13/bahrain-pearl-revolution-monarchy/54939728/1

Frequently asked questions about Bahrain

Go to part about how women should dress: abaya http://www.expatarrivals.com/bahrain/frequently-asked-questions-about-bahrain Abaya http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abaya


 * EGYPT**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Egypt** Check out the EGYPT IN TRANSITION links at the bottom of the overview tab http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13313370 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/egypt_map.htm

Profile: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12313405

Gamal Abdel Nassar https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser

Nassarism https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasserism

Suez crisis https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Crisis


 * GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL**

Gulf Cooperation Council profile (BBC News) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/4155001.stm


 * IRAN**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Iran** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14541327 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/iran_map.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/
 * Showdown with Iran FRONTLINE**

Film online http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/showdown/

As Iraq descends into chaos and civil war, FRONTLINE examines the rise of its neighbor -- Iran -- as one of America's greatest threats and most puzzling foreign policy challenges. Through interviews with key players on both sides, FRONTLINE traces the tumultuous history of U.S.-Iran relations since 9/11 -- from unprecedented early cooperation in Afghanistan, to the growing crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions and Tehran's open threats to drive America out of the Middle East.

Transcript http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/etc/script.html

Site map http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/etc/sitemap.html

Themes and Analysis http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/themes/

Interviews http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/interviews/

Readings and links http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/etc/links.html

Iranian Revolution in pictures http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/04/middle_east_the_iranian_revolution/html/9.stm

Iran historical timeline http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14542438

US had extensive contact with Ayatollah Khomeini before Iran revolution https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/10/ayatollah-khomeini-jimmy-carter-administration-iran-revolution

The Great Game https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Game

Iran and Afghanistan | The Iran Primer http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/iran-and-afghanistan

Shah of Iran flees into exile (16 January 1979) http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/16/newsid_2530000/2530475.stm


 * ISLAM**

http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/index.html Video http://youtu.be/UHhbSvOcz4g
 * Islam: Empire of Faith (PBS)**

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/
 * Muslims (FRONTLINE)**

Frequently Asked Questions [use this] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/etc/faqs.html

What Muslims believe [use this] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/etc/what.html

Major Themes http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/themes/ Islam and the West http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/themes/west.html Islamic belief, law, and practice http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/themes/beliefs.html Women and Islam http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/themes/women.html

Readings http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/etc/links.html

Portraits of ordinary Muslims http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/portraits/

Interviews with Muslim scholars http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/interviews/


 * Sharia**

Five myths about Sharia https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-sharia/2016/06/24/7e3efb7a-31ef-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html


 * Sunni versus Shiite**

Sunnis and Shias: Islam's Ancient Schism (BBC News) []

Why the Sunnis and Shias are fighting (Washington Post) [Be sure to play the video] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/22/why-sunnis-and-shias-are-fighting-explained-in-two-minutes/

Questions rebels use to tell Sunni from Shiite http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/questioning-helps-rebels-tell-sunnis-from-shiites.html

Map of Sunni/Shia divisions http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/world_maps/muslim_distribution.jpg

Sunni resentment muddles prospect of unifying Iraq http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/13/world/middleeast/sunni-resentment-muddles-prospect-of-reunifying-iraq-after-isis.html

Sunni Muslims - Shiite Muslims - Silvestre Reyes - United States Congress http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/weekinreview/17cave.html?action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East&module=RelatedCoverage%C2%AEion=Marginalia&pgtype=article

Behind Stark Political Divisions, a More Complex Map of Sunnis and Shiites http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/04/world/middleeast/sunni-shiite-map-middle-east-iran-saudi-arabia.html


 * Kurds**

The Kurds: the world's largest stateless nation http://www.france24.com/en/20150730-who-are-kurds-turkey-syria-iraq-pkk-divided

Put with section on ethnic difficulties in Iraq today The Kurds - A Chronology | The Survival Of Saddam | FRONTLINE | PBS []

Thousands die in gas attack against Kurds http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/16/newsid_4304000/4304853.stm


 * Hajj**

Why do millions gather in Mecca each year [this is good] []

Hajj: World's Largest Pilgrimage [Show this in class for sure] http://youtu.be/q7q_LcqbvKI

Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca [|http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/hajj_1.shtml#h2]

Hajj in pictures http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/galleries/hajj/


 * Ramadan**

Ramadan 2015: what do I need to know? http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z82mtfr

What is Ramadan? [show in class] http://youtu.be/0ikpzGMoB5Y

Ramadan: a guide to the Islamic holy month https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/17/ramadan-guide-to-islamic-holy-month- muslims-fast


 * Muslims and wearing the veil**

Why Muslim women wear the veil [click on the graphic showing different styles] [] What are the basic issues in this article? What is your own feeling about how to dress as a religious person? Or is it only about religion?

The Islamic veil across Europe [] Why do Muslim women wear the hijab. The "debate takes in religious freedom, female equality, secular traditions and even fears of terrorism." What are the issues involved in this and how have some of the countries dealt with it. What is your personal feeling.

My First Afghan Burka (Female New York Times reporter Alissa Rubin) [] Would you like to be a correspondent going on this kind of mission? How did you feel as you read through her detailed description.

A Makeover for the Hijab, via Instagram Muslim Women Add Personal Style to a Traditional Garment Would you as a Christian want to wear a hijab. Why or why not? []

Why Do Muslim Women Wear The Hijab? [nice short video] http://youtu.be/sobFJShtuOo

What’s That You’re Wearing? A Guide to Muslim Veils http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/world/what-in-the-world/burqa-hijab-abaya-chador.html

Olympians in Hijab and Bikini http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/opinion/olympians-in-hijab-and-bikini.html?_r=0

Putting Faith and Sports on the Same Team https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/06/business/putting-faith-and-sports-on-the-same-team.html

Meet the woman in the American flag hijab http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-34852817


 * Other**

England's forgotten Muslim history http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/opinion/sunday/englands-forgotten-muslim-history.html

The Life of Omar ibn Said http://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue/201002/the.life.of.omar.ibn.said.htm

African Muslim Slaves in the Americas: An Understudied Presence http://www.whyislam.org/muslim-heritage/african-muslim-slaves-in-the-americas-an-understudied-presence/

Yarrow Mamout, a freed Muslim slave, takes his place among presidents and generals at National Portrait Gallery https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/11/yarrow-mamout-a-freed-muslim-slave-takes-his-place-among-presidents-and-generals-at-national-portrait-gallery/


 * ISLAMIC STATE (ISIS)**

In rise of ISIS, no single missed key but many strands of blame http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/world/middleeast/in-rise-of-isis-no-single-missed-key-but-many-strands-of-blame.html?_r=0

Losing Iraq (ISIS) | FRONTLINE | PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/losing-iraq/

Secret history of ISIS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/the-secret-history-of-isis/

The ISIS threat http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/investigation/the-isis-threat/

Salafism: Why ultra-conservative Islam is finding support in post-revolution Egypt http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-19914763

ISIS’ Harsh Brand of Islam Is Rooted in Austere Saudi Wahhabi Creed []

What's the appeal of a caliphate? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29761018

Levant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: Islamic State's driving force http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28560449

Profile: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi []

How ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi became the world’s most powerful jihadist leader []

What is the Islamic State? http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144

How ISIS works http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/09/16/world/middleeast/how-isis-works.html

How ISIS expands http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/05/21/world/middleeast/how-isis-expands.html?_r=0

ISIS finances are strong []

Islamic State: Where does jihadist group get its support? http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29004253

How the Islamic State evolved in an American prison http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/04/how-an-american-prison-helped-ignite-the-islamic-state/?tid=hp_mm&hpid=z3

Jihad and Girl Power: How ISIS Lured 3 London Girls http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/18/world/europe/jihad-and-girl-power-how-isis-lured-3-london-teenagers.html

Life in the Islamic State series (Washington Post): Overview http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/life-in-the-islamic-state/2015/10/01/overview/ Women http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/life-in-the-islamic-state/2015/10/01/women/ Justice http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/life-in-the-islamic-state/2015/10/01/justice/ Economy http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/life-in-the-islamic-state/2015/10/01/economy/ Education http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/life-in-the-islamic-state/2015/10/01/education/

Key differences between Al Qaeda, Islamic State, and Taliban https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ishmg/eli5_what_are_the_key_differences_between_alqaeda/

Taliban chastise Islamic State http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/taliban-chastise-islamic-state-for-dividing-jihadist-ranks-in-afghanistan-and-beyond.php


 * ISRAEL**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Israel** Check out the MORE ON THIS STORY links at the bottom of the overview tab. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14628835 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/israel_map.htm

What Is Hamas And Why Are They At War With Israel? http://youtu.be/RmlGcQUFmEA

Arab-Israeli conflict series: The Past 50 Years of Israeli Occupation. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/02/opinion/sunday/the-past-50-years-of-israeli-occupation- and-the-next.html?_r=0

When Israelis view 50 years of occupation in Palestine as normal, peace is a foreclosed dream https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/opinions/israel-settlements/?utm_term=.78fb4441445b

1967 war: Six days that changed the Middle East http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39960461

Legacy of 1973 Arab-Israeli war reverberates 40 years on http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24402464

How the K.G.B. Started the War That Changed the Middle East https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/opinion/how-the-kgb-started-the-war-that-changed-the-middle-east.html?mabReward=CTM5&recp=4

Still Stuck Between May and June of 1967 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/06/opinion/israel-1967-war.html

Country Profile (BBC News): **Palestinian territories** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14630174

A Guide to the Arab-Israeli conflict [thanks to Rachel Pobre for this link] http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths3/MythsEnglish2012.pdf http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths3/mftoc.html

Israel/Palestinian issue home page http://www.bbc.com/news/special_reports/middle_east_crisis/

Middle East talks: core issues http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11138790

History of Mideast peace talks http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11103745

Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18008697

Profile: Mahmoud Abbas (Palestinian Authority) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20033995

Profile: Fatah Palestinian movement http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13338216

Profile: Hamas Palestinian movement http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13331522

Israel's Iron Dome missile shield http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20385306

Gaza: How Hamas tunnel network grew http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28430298

No place to hide for children of war in Gaza and Syria http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28513709

Hamas and Israel step up cyber battle for hearts and minds http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28292908

Israel map: 1947 to the present []

BBC documentary - Birth of Israel - Birth of a Nation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X4JCPckWgY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Primer on Palestine, Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict | Middle East Research and Information Project http://www.merip.org/primer-palestine-israel-arab-israeli-conflict-new

Avalon Project - The Middle East 1916-2001 : A Documentary Record http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/mideast.asp

History of the Israel Palestine Conflict reference links http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Reference/Israel-Palestine-Conflict.xa_1.html

Map Progression 1947-2012 — Foundation for Middle East Peace http://www.fmep.org/resources/publications-1/Map_progression_1947_2012

Hamas (National Counter-terrorism Center) http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/hamas.html

Hamas (Council on Foreign Relations) http://www.cfr.org/israel/hamas/p8968

Hamas Palestinian Movement (BBC News profile) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13331522

Palestinian territories (BBC News) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14630174


 * JORDAN**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Jordan** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14631981 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/jordan_map.htm

Jordan Queen Rania http://www.queenrania.jo/gallery/image http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Rania_of_Jordan


 * KUWAIT**

Country Profiles (BBC News): Kuwait http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14644252 Map http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/kuwait_pol96.jpg

Sheikh becomes emir. What is the difference between a sheikh, emir, sultan, king.

Role of Britain in various of these countries

British protectorates

Sandhurst's sheikhs: Why do so many Gulf royals receive military training in the UK? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28896860

Role of various wars in all of these countries: WWI, WWII, Gulf War, US invasion of Iraq. Had to choose sides.

From website:

1985-86 - Domestic security concerns, particularly about Iran's perceived influence over the Shi'ite minority, prompt the deportations of thousands of expatriates, many of them Iranian. [role of foreign workers/human rights]

1992 - Under domestic and international pressure, Emir gives green light to National Assembly elections. Opposition forces perform well in the vote.

2009 October - Constitutional court rules women can obtain passports without the consent of their husbands. In another ruling, it decides women MPs are not required to wear an Islamic head cover


 * LEBANON**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Lebanon** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14647308 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/lebanon_map.htm Who are Hezbollah? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm

Lebanon profile (BBC News) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14647308

Who are Hezbollah? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm

Hezbollah (background report by the Council on Foreign Relations) http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155


 * OMAN**

Country Profiles (BBC News): **Oman** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14654150 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/oman-map.htm

From website:

The oldest independent state in the Arab world strategically important position at the mouth of the Gulf.

At one time Oman had its own empire 1800s-1900s - Omani empire expands to include Zanzibar and Mombasa on Africa's east coast and parts of the Indian subcontinent, reflecting Oman's strong maritime heritage.

1749 - Persians are driven out. The Al Bu Said dynasty comes to power, and continues to rule to this day. Role of ruling dynasties in many of these places.

1913 - Control of the country splits. The interior is ruled by Ibadite imams and the coastal areas by the sultan. Under a British-brokered agreement in 1920 the sultan recognises the autonomy of the interior. What is a sultan?

1981 - Oman is a founding member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council

2006 January - Oman and the US sign a free trade deal. The agreement is approved by the US Congress and Senate in June and July.


 * PAKISTAN**

India-Pakistan Partition BBC documentary (90 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZS40U5yFpc&feature=youtu.be

India, Pakistan, and Kashmir (Economist videographic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rmUiLwy7kI&feature=youtu.be

Kashmir:The origins of the dispute http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1762146.stm

Kashmir conflict profile https://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/kashmir/conflict-profile/

Great Calcutta killings https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Action_Day


 * QATAR**

Country Profiles (BBC News): **Qatar** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14702226 See the Qatar links at bottom of screen Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/qatar-map.htm

How Qatar came to host the Taliban http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23007401

[Ciara's mother to teach there??]

From website:

In 1995 Crown Prince Hamad bin Khalifa deposed his father to become emir. Have you noticed the pattern in all these places of family intrigues and infighting?

Qatari satellite TV station Al-Jazeera has become one of the most important broadcasters in the Arab world. Not popular in some countries.

1939 - Oil reserves discovered. Exploitation is delayed by World War II, but oil comes to replace pearling and fishing as Qatar's main source of revenue.

Foreigners - including labourers attracted by a construction boom - outnumber natives. Oil money funds an all-embracing welfare state, with many services being free or heavily subsidized.

2002 - Qatar looms large in US plans for a possible war against Iraq. Its al-Udeid air base is developed and expanded. Washington says it will deploy US Central Command staff to Qatar. 2003 March-April - Qatar-based US Central Command forward base serves as the nerve centre in the US- led military campaign in Iraq.

2009 January - Qatar cuts trade ties with Israel over Gaza offensive. Was sole Gulf state to have trade ties with Israel. Relations with Israel run as a theme through all these countries.

2011 Qatar reportedly arms Libyan opposition. Which side are they on in the current Islamic State crisis?

2012 January - The Afghan Taliban say they are setting up a political office in Qatar to facilitate talks. We traded 4 prisoners for that US soldier. They were released in the custody of Qatar.

2014 March - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE withdraw their ambassadors from Qatar after alleging that it has been meddling in their internal affairs.


 * SAUDI ARABIA**

Country Profiles (BBC News): Saudi Arabia http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14702705 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/saudi-arabia-map.htm

Home to Mecca and Medina

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/
 * The House of Saud FRONTLINE**

Video: FRONTLINE House of Saud http://youtu.be/Nj0uHdGyIhQ

Turki bin Faisal Al Saud House of Saud video 38:59 Georgetown School of Foreign Service in 1964 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turki_bin_Faisal_Al_Saud

The House of Saud has controlled every aspect of Saudi life and politics since the kingdom was established in 1932. But outside the Desert Kingdom little is known about Saudi Arabia's secretive royal family. In "House of Saud" FRONTLINE explores how the Al Saud family maintains its hold on power in the face of growing tensions between Islam and modernity. Through interviews with members of the royal family government officials and other experts from Saudi Arabia and the U.S. the two-hour documentary also traces America's relations with the Saudi royal family from their first alliance in the 1930s through Sept. 11 and beyond to the present day.

Synopsis http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/etc/synopsis.html

Transcript http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/etc/script.html

Chronology []

Themes and Analysis http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/themes/

Interviews

Interviews - Prince Amr Ibn Mohammad Al Faisal | House Of Saud | http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/interviews/amr.html

The US-Saudi relationsip http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/themes/us.html

Wahhabism ISIS’ Harsh Brand of Islam Is Rooted in Austere Saudi Creed http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/25/world/middleeast/isis-abu-bakr-baghdadi-caliph-wahhabi.html?mabReward=RI%3A5&_r=0

Long reign of same dynasty

Ottoman Turks role (in so much of this part of the world)

Significance of the term "Middle East"

Oil. US and British petroleum companies.

OPEC

Osama bin Laden

I'm amazed at all the terrorist acts.

2010 October arms sales. US foreign aid: Israel/Saudi Arabia

2011 March Saudis put down unrest in Bahrain during Arab Spring Governments afraid to have a vote--that extremists might win Issue of women driving and publishing pictures

2014 March Muslim Brotherhood http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12313405

Saudis and Extremism: ‘Both the Arsonists and the Firefighters’ http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-islam.html

Don' t blame Wahhabism for terrorism http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/opinion/dont-blame-wahhabismfor-terrorism.html?mabReward=CTM&_r=0

How Kosovo Was Turned Into Fertile Ground for ISIS http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/world/europe/how-the-saudis-turned-kosovo-into-fertile-ground-for-isis.html

The first global terrorists were anarchists in the 1890s http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/opinion/the-first-global-terrorists-were-anarchists-in-the-1890s.html?_r=0

What the Saudis miss when they focus on Iran http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/21/opinion/what-the-saudis-miss-when-they-focus-on-iran.html?_r=0


 * SYRIA**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Syria** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/syria-map.htm

Syria: Mapping the conflict http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22798391

Syria Conflict home page (BBC News) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-17258397

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/investigation/syria-at-war/
 * Syria at war FRONTLINE**

SYRIA

FRONTLINE Inside Assad's Syria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSF6MgKopdI&feature=youtu.be

Syria’s Paradox: Why the War Only Ever Seems to Get Worse http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/middleeast/syria-civil-war-why-get-worse.html

Who is fighting whom in Syria? http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/world/middleeast/the-syria-conflicts-overlapping-agendas-and-competing-visions.html

Syria crisis: where key countries stand http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23849587

Untangling the overlapping conflicts in the Syrian war http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/16/world/middleeast/untangling-the-overlapping-conflicts-in-the-syrian-war.html

Islamic State women and enforcers in Syria recount collaboration, anguish, and escape http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/world/middleeast/isis-wives-and-enforcers-in-syria-recount-collaboration-anguish-and-escape.html

How the growing web of conflict in Syria became a global problem https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/explaining-the-syrian-conflict/

Syria's Alawites http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/02/us-syria-alawites-sect-idUSTRE8110Q720120202#3QG7Ac7G7TYU3G5b.97

Syria's Baath party http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18582755

Syria's beleaguered Christians http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22270455

A brief guide to the Syrian civil war https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/syrian-civil-war-guide-isis/410746/

Straightforward answers to basic questions about Syria's civil war https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/19/world/middleeast/syria-civil-war-bashar-al-assad-refugees-islamic-state.html


 * TURKEY**

Country Profile (BBC News): **Turkey** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17988453 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/turkey-map.htm

Song: Istanbul, not Constantinople http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP3CF6YBU_8&feature=youtube_gdata_player


 * UNITED ARAB EMIRATES**

Country Profiles (BBC News): **United Arab Emirates** http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703998 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/united_arab_emirates_map.htm

From website:

1820 - Britain and local rulers sign a treaty to combat piracy along the Gulf coast. From this, and later agreements, the area becomes known as the Trucial Coast.

Although each state - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain - maintains a large degree of independence, the UAE is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet. [I had never heard of most of these]

Role of foreign workers The oil industry has attracted a large influx of foreign workers who, together with expatriates, now make up more than three quarters of the population.

Dubai sought to turn itself into the financial gateway and cosmopolitan hub of the Middle East.

Burj Khalifa skyscraper - the world's current tallest man-made structure

1971 - UAE joins the Arab League [what is the Arab League]

Who are members of OPEC

1981 May - UAE is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council; its first summit is held in Abu Dhabi.

2006 March - Political storm in the US forces state-owned Dubai Ports World to relinquish control of terminals at six major American ports. Critics of the ports deal feared an increased risk of terrorist attack, saying the UAE was home to two of the 9/11 hijackers.


 * YEMEN**

Country Profiles (BBC News): **Yemen** Check out the YEMEN UNREST link [Arab Uprisings after 3 years] at the bottom of the overview tab http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14704852 Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/yemen-map.htm

Yemen and coffee [Mocha/Java blend is my favorite]

From website:

1839 - Aden comes under British rule, and when the Suez Canal opens in 1869 serves as a major refuelling port.

Yemen crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia for thousands of years thanks to its position on the ancient spice routes. One of the possible locations for the Biblical kingdom of Sheba.

The modern Republic of Yemen was born in 1990 when traditional North Yemen and Communist South Yemen merged after years of clashes.

Yemen was hit by more serious political upheaval early in 2011 when protesters - inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt - rallied against the three-decades-old rule of President Saleh.

He stepped down as part of a deal brokered by neighbouring countries.

In the meantime, Yemen had become a major base for Islamic Al-Qaeda militants

2000 October - US naval vessel USS Cole damaged in suicide attack in Aden which is subsequently blamed on al-Qaeda. Seventeen US personnel killed.

US does drone strikes in Yemen.

The price of abandoning Yemen http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/23/opinion/the-price-of-abandoning-yemen.html?_r=0

Yemeni government and Houthi rebels reach agreement, U.N. envoy says http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/20/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0HF07H20140920

Yemen Mocha coffee http://www.espressocoffeeguide.com/gourmet-coffee/arabian-and-african-coffees/yemen-coffee/yemen-mocha-coffee/ http://www.martinezfinecoffees.com/yemen-mocha-mattari-private-reserve.html http://www.ncausa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=68 http://coffeetea.about.com/od/Coffee-Glossary/g/Mocha.htm