A GEOPOLITICAL GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST

presented by Margaret A. Doyle

for partial completion of the requirements for a Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at George Mason University

"Geopolitics is the branch of geography that promises to explain the relationships between geographical realities and international affairs." (Spencer 42)   The discipline of geopolitics identifies the geographical circumstances that most satisfactorily explain the power, interest, character, and behavior of nations. Nowhere in the world are the links between geography and politics more closely related than in the Middle East.  The region, known as the Middle East, is located at the tricontinental hub of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and possesses unique geopolitical significance. We read and hear about events that happen in the Middle East almost on a daily basis.  The importance of this area cannot be understated:  It is a strategic geographic region in which the United States has long had and continues to have a vital interest in the events and politics of the region.

 This guide is intended for teachers and students at the high school level.  It is meant to be a comprehensive look at the Middle East and it can be used in a number of disciplines: Geography, Global Studies, International Relations,  Political Geography, and Geopolitics.  It has been posted on the internet so that it may be accessible to students or teachers who can use it for research or as a curriculum guide to the Middle East.

CONTENTS:
To continue with this guide, return to the menu page for a list of topics or click on a topic at the end of this page.

Geopolitical Theory:  This section provides  a short history of the field of geopolitics and summarizes some of the more important theories in the field.  It also explains the role of the Middle East in geopolitical theory.

Overview: concentrates on the region known as the Middle East.  Since not everyone includes the same countries in their description of  Middle East, this section describes the perimeters of the region, along with the countries that are included in the region for purposes of this guide.  This section also gives a geographic, political, historical, and cultural overview of the region, and explains the geopolitical importance of the Middle East.

Regional Geography: breaks down the Middle East into sub-regions.  This includes a political, geographic, historical, and cultural overview of each of the specific countries within the sub regions.

Geopolitical Issues: ties together the various themes and is an in-depth description and analysis of the geopolitical issues in the Middle East

Appendix:  The appendix contains four references:  People; a description of important people (past and present) in the Middle East.  Timeline;  a timeline of important historical events in the Middle East.  Gazetteer; a location of important geographic places in the Middle East and a Glossary of terms. Bibliography: a listing of works used in writing A Geopolitical Guide to the Middle East

  go to:  menu geopolitical theory  overview regional geography geopolitical issues people  glossary  gazetteer  to the top of the page bibliography timeline