Fully updated fourth edition. The Middle East is perhaps the most tumultuous area on earth, with ancient battles still being fought. This updated guide offers an intense look - through the lens of present-day knowledge - at current events and the everchanging political and social landscape, as well as the region's history. And it addresses: ?The re-arming of Hezbollah ?Iran's increased threat of acquiring nuclear weapons ?The odds of Palestinian unity in peace talks ?The evacuation from Gaza

Yours"re no idiot, of course. You know that the countries of the Middle East-Israel, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and more-are in the news daily because of failed peace initiatives, suicide bombings, or threats to our security. However, the nations contained within this desert region have fought one another long before it was broadcast on CNN-and even long before the state of Israel existed. Understand the ancient animosities and modern tensions that continue to plague this troubled region. The Complete Idiotrs"s Guidereg; to Middle East Conflict, Second Edition, shows you exactly why the Holy Land continues to remain a war zone despite the efforts of peacemakers. In this newly updated and revised Complete Idiotrs"s Guidereg;, you get: --The birth of the empires established under the Muslim and Christian faiths. --The division of the Middle East into new nations after World War I-including the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. --How the United States became involved in the region-and the many alliances formed and broken over the decades. --The history of terrorism in the Middle East-and the formation of the U.S.led coalition to combat it.

Cold hard facts on the world’s hot spots. Now readers can make sense of the daily headlines with an examination of the sides and issues of evolving conflicts. This updated edition provides coverage of all of the hot conflict spots in our world today, background and history, new and added coverage of the war on terror, and up-to-date coverage on the Middle East, including Iraq. • As Iraq continues to dominate the news, there is, unfortunately, no shortage of other trouble spots—this guide looks at conflicts around the globe. • An accurate reference source for high school and college students, and a great overview for people who want more in-depth understanding of daily events.

The Middle East is often a pressure cooker of upheaval and the threat of war. Complex dynamics are at work, both culturally and politically, and understanding conflict in this region starts with understanding both recent and ancient events. Noted history writer, Alan Axelrod, PhD, breaks down the stereotypes and biases and helps readers not only understand what has been happening during the last 100 years, but why it has happened, who was involved, and what might happen in the future. Supplemental maps are also included.

Discusses the causes, military tactics, battles, and effects of the Persian Gulf War.

WWII began in 1939 as a European conflict between Germany and an Anglo-French coalition but eventually widened to include most of the nations of the world. It ended in 1945, leaving a new world order dominated by the United States and the USSR. This book features updated and expanded coverage of the fateful D-Day invasion, a critical timeline of major WW II events, and a WW II timeline highlighting the crucial and most important events of the war. It will include details about major battles on land, in the air, and on the sea - starting with Hitler's rise to power and his goal of European conquest; to Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbour; to the decisive battles such as D-Day and the Battle of Midway, which turned the tides of the war toward the Allies.