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The longevity and depth of regional challenges in the Middle East have elevated political and security concerns to a new level within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in recent years. Three conflicting worldviews have confronted one another, resulting in debilitating consequences for the region. Increasing fragmentation of Arab politics, in turn, has engendered attempts at enforced Arab unity that have ultimately failed, further dividing and destabilizing the regional order. This article delineates the background of the Gulf crisis of 2017 within the broader context of the Arab Spring and analyzes the ensuing attempts at mediation, the US role in the region, political developments in Kuwait and Oman, normalization efforts with Israel, and the recent resolution of the Gulf crisis by examining various actors' political roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how the modern Russian press covers the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict, both historically and currently. Since print media are some of the most popular sources of information in Russia, such analysis helps us understand the media's priorities in presenting the conflict to Russian society. The article focuses on the inherently manipulative, albeit hidden, essence and layout of this material, which increases the likelihood of information bias. While the quality of the reporting on this conflict demonstrates the proximity of contemporary Russian media to the interests of the country's ruling powers, it also provides opportunities for the government to influence its audience's comprehension of Middle East politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We analyse the nature of robust determinants of differences in democracy levels across countries taking explicitly into account uncertainty in the choice of covariates and spatial spillovers. We make use of recent developments in Bayesian model averaging to assess the effect of a large number of potential factors affecting democratisation processes and account for several specifications of spatial linkages. Our results indicate that spatial spillovers are present in the data even after controlling for a large number of geographical covariates. Addressing the determinants of democracy without modelling such spillovers may lead to flawed inference about the nature of the determinants of democratisation processes. In particular, our results emphasise the role played by Muslim religion, population size, trade volumes, English language, natural resource rents, GDP per capita, being a MENA country and the incidence of armed conflicts as factors affecting democracy robustly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about transforming the military force structure of the nations of the Middle East. Topics discussed include revolutionary transformations in governance structures brought about by Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, the Arab Spring in 2011, the conflicts in Libya, Syria and Yemen, and the emergence of the Islamic State.

In this article I argue that Christianity is essentially secular. Hence, secularisation not only has a theological connotation concerning Christian faith but also it is the highest and most perfect realisation of Christian religion, since it signifies the cross that is in the centre of Christian faith. As Christians take upon themselves secularisation as an existential choice, namely the powerlessness of God and of the human being, they simultaneously take the worldly-human existence as 'here' and 'now' upon themselves. I will argue that this is the culmination of Reformation. Further, I want to demonstrate that secular Christianity, in the sense given in this article, remains a challenge for both Western and Eastern worlds. In order to accomplish this I will reflect in the first part of this article - from a theological point of view - upon some sociological interpretations or theories concerning mainly secularisation in Western Europe and also the contemporary socio-political scene in the Middle East. In the second part of the article I will present several Western and Eastern theological positions that defend secularisation, and through their contributions I will construct my own theological stance for secular Christianity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction of the issue is presented on topics including political developments in the Middle East, economic progress and historical and archaeological records.

The front cover of the journal is presented along with the contents within the issue, copyright information and members of the editorial board.

The front cover of the journal is presented along with the issue's editors and information on membership and subscriptions.

Selectorate theory posits that within each society, there is a political selectorate containing a winning coalition. This coalition, comprised of societal individuals, groups, and entities, selects the national leader whose aim is political survival. The original version of the theory suggested that the selectorate expands in step with the ability of the leader to provide private or public goods to its supporters in various combinations. This study expands selectorate theory to the recent revolutions across Middle East and North Africa ( MENA). With various regimes optimizing economic allocations, we believe that political survival in MENA societies is gained and maintained by concurrently fulfilling rising religious preferences. Stable MENA regimes also meet religious demands. Thus, leaders that ignore religious tides do so at their own peril. Addressing religious demands as the selectorate expands maximizes stability and reduces autocratic tendencies. We present selectorate and stakeholder assessments of six MENA societies during the Arab Spring. We find that selectorate expansion, regime stability, and regime survival depend as much on religiosity as on private-public payoffs optimization. Our results have striking implications for democratic preference promulgation and regime stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the political and social conditions of Christians in the Middle East as of late 2013. It describes the significance of the Middle East to Christianity and Christians and violence against Christians by Islamic fundamentalists in countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Egypt. It examines trends of Christians such as Egyptian Copts leaving the Middle East, discusses alleged Western indifference to assaults on Middle Eastern Christians, and notes areas in the Middle East where Christians and Muslims co-exist. The article also discusses the treatment of Christians in Iraq by Iraqi Shiiite and Sunni Muslims.

The article discusses the role of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (PIJM) in promoting a militant transnational Islamism from 1974-1988, supplanting the influence of the Palestinian Muslim Brothers. The PIJM emerged in reaction to several confluence of political events in the Middle East primordial of which were the rise of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), its conflict with Hamas and the Muslim Brothers.

Key institutions of the pre-modern Middle Eastern economy, all grounded in Islamic law, blocked the development of democratic institutions. This talk identifies three mechanisms that played critical roles. Islam's original tax system failed to produce lasting and credible constraints on governance. The waqfs (Islamic trusts) founded to provide social services to designated constituencies were politically powerless. Profit-making private enterprises remained small and ephemeral, hindering the formation of stable coalitions capable of bargaining with the state. The last two mechanisms jointly delayed the rise of a civil society able to provide the checks and balances essential to democratic rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insights regarding the capability of Iran to acquire or build its own nuclear weapons and became a dominant country in the Middle East. The author disproves the notion that 2010 would be the year for Iran to finally create its own nuclear weapons due to several reasons such as the continues economic sanctions by the U.S. and United Nations (UN) and the lack of technology to develop these weapons. He discusses several means on how to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons such as the use of tougher economic sanctions, military strike to its known nuclear facilities and diplomacy. Moreover, he states that reduction of U.S. troops in the Middle East and assurance that it would not be attacked could urge Iran to enter a peace agreement.

Information about several papers discussed at Capitol Hill conferences convened by the Middle East, Policy Council which was held on January 18, 2008 in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building is presented. The main topic of the conference was the national preoccupation between U.S. and Iraq. Focus is given on the military strategies of Iran, its programs and military policies.

The article discusses the argument that resolution on the tensions between U.S. and Iran through diplomacy is a sign of hipocracy. It is mentioned that U.S. used the military aid to employ tension in the Middle East. It includes a Memorandum of Agreement in Jerusalem signed by Under Secretary of State Burns with Bank of Israel. This agreement was a part of the military aid package announced by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The article, however, mentions that racing regional arms is not effective to ease tensions with Iran. It explains that it is hipocracy for President George W. Bush to mentions that destroying human life in the hope of saving human life is not ethical.

Explores the patterns of change in national political and economic systems, in intraregional relations, in the roles of political Islam and political violence, in the Arab-Israeli conflict and in the U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Liberalization of Middle Eastern political systems; Evolution of dictatorship into quasi-market economies; Shift from Islamism to Muslimhood; U.S. military intervention in the region.

The following is an edited transcript of the thirty-fourth in a series of Capitol Hill conferences convened by the Middle East Policy Council. The meeting was held on October 3, 2003, in the Rayburn House Office Building with Chas. W. Freeman, Jr., moderating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a summary of a September 2002 joint policy paper by the Atlantic Council of the United States and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Relationship between the U.S. and Europe; Information on European attitudes towards the problems of the Middle East.

The following briefs were presented in a workshop on “Political Succession in the Middle East” at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, September 1, 2001, in San Francisco. Louis J. Cantori, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Augustus Richard Norton, Boston University, were the conveners of the Conference Group on the Middle East, which issued this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the similarities and differences in U.S. and European Union analysis of the threat posed by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to the stability of the Middle East and world peace. Need to increase political pressure on Hussein to keep him from producing weapons of mass destruction; Perceptions on Iranian foreign policy; Measures used by Germany to intensify contacts with Saudi Arabia.

Discusses the political power wielded by the Al Saud royal family of Saudi Arabia. How the royal family legitimized its rule over the various tribes that populate Saudi Arabia; Doctrine and ideology of Saudi Arabia; Foreign policy of Saudi Arabia; Discussion on the country's relation with Iran; Influence of Saudi Arabia in the Middle East politics.

Examines political changes in the Middle East. Challenge of separating real changes from apparent ones; Inception and conception of the intifadah; Diplomatic maneuver by Jordan; Palestinian's conditional acceptance of Israel; Lessons for the United States.

Contends that the water crisis poses threat to the peace and stability in the Middle East. Agreement among military strategists and statesmen on the threat posed by water to the Middle East; Areas in the Middle East where water is getting scarce.

Focuses on the political leadership patterns of rulers in the Middle East. Individual succession of rulers in the Arab countries as speculated by political analysts and assessors; Reasons for the longevity of Arab regimes; Elements considered in anticipation of leadership changes.

Highlights the 1995 Gulf Cooperation Council Heads-of-State Summit. Discussions on border disputes; Meetings on defense matters; Efforts to strengthen security; Review of economic cooperation; Presentations on the Middle East Peace Process; Opinions about major foreign policy issues; Comments on destructive weapons; Views on employment and youth.

Encourages Israel to link Golan Heights to southern Lebanon and call for a direct Syrian security role in the south to facilitate the Middle East peace process. Description of the combat zone in southern Lebanon; Potential peacekeeping role for Syria; Possible Israeli objectives.

The author reflects on the failure of the Kurdish people to establish an independent state in the Middle East. The author inferred that the location of the Kurds at a major geopolitical crossroad is one reason why they have not been able to achieve an independent state. He averred that religious, tribal, feudal, and dialectal conflicts were also considered factors for the failure of uniting the Kurdish people.

Several indexes for issues 1-45 of the summer 1982 to summer 1993 issue of "Middle East Policy" are presented.

The article examines the potential impact of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCF) in Middle East. According to the author the states of the GCC which includes Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar are an integral part of the U.S. strategic, political and economic agenda in the Middle East. He added that Saudi government has reached an agreement with the U.S. whereby in exchange for the sale of an integrated package of highly sophisticated weaponry, the Saudis will build and pay for an elaborate system of command, naval and air facilities. Moreover, the U.S. army has not able to pull out at the close war due to the failure of implementing the strategic provisions of Damascus Agreement.

The article discusses the prospects of armed conflict and the impact of Gulf War in Middle East. According to the author, due to the declination of U.S. domestic oil production and the location of most of the world's exportable supplies in the Gulf, the region has become a vital political, strategic and economic importance to the U.S. for the foreseeable future. He added that the prospect of armed conflict is the greatest physical threat to U.S. interests in the Gulf. Moreover, the sources of conflict run the gamut from centuries-old ethnic, national and confessional animosities and territorial disputes. Furthermore, the ethnic and nationalist politics in the Gulf which are predominantly confrontational are likely to lead military conflict.

The article focuses on the gross human-rights violation of Israel in Middle East. According to the author, gross human-rights violations are defined as torture or cruel, inhuman and prolonged detention without charges and trial. He added that the most unjust and cruel violation on record is the conduct of Israel towards the Israeli Arabs particularly toward the Palestinians of the occupied territories. He emphasized that the U.S. government, the Arab-American community and the Jewish-American community is at fault for allowing the racist conduct of Israel to continue.

The article focuses on the Israel factor in the politics of Arab states in Middle East. According to the author, the challenge presented by Israel and Zionism have shaped the emergence of a specific Palestinian national identity. He added that the effective Israeli foreign policy toward the Palestinians and broad Arab Middle East which includes the growing popular appeal of Islamic radicalism, stronger demands for more meaningful participation and the wider yearning for material well-being and equity are being embedded in public attitudes toward the Jewish state. Moreover, the politicization and free elections has strengthened radical forces opposed to conciliation with Israel and the West.

The article provides information on some documents relating to the Middle East policy. The outline of a model for the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority is presented. The violations of the human rights of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are discussed. The oral statement given by Amnesty International to the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights on January 29, 1992 in Geneva, Switzerland and the text of UN Security Council Resolution 726 condemning Israel's decision to deport 12 Palestinians are presented.

Discusses the role of the Druze in Middle Eastern politics. History of the Druze; Factors that make Druzes exemplary warriors; Largest concentrations of Druze in the region; Reasons behind the transition of Druzes into terrorist groups.

The table of contents for the summer 1982 issue of the "American-Arab Affairs" is presented.

The article offers information on the publication of the journal "Digest of Middle East Studies," and copyright and aims. It mentions that Wiley Periodicals Inc. publishes this journal. It informs that no part of the publication can be stored, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission in writing from the copyright holder. It reveals that the publication is aimed at providing research articles and reviews concerning Middle East's religion and politics.

Introduces a series of articles on Middle East political policy featured in the September 2001 issue of `Middle East Policy.'

Discusses the political and economic issues in the Middle East. Details on the political situation in Qatar; Information on the political dilemma of Turkey; Brief discussion on the issue of sovereignty in the Gulf states.

Argues that the state of the Moslem world, so dismally revealed during the Persian Gulf crisis and its aftermath, may be summed up in a single phrase: a collapse of moral initiative. Blaming everything on the colonial legacy; Excesses and brutalities inflicted on Muslims by their own people; Necessity for intellectual reconstruction and new priorities.

The table of contents for the summer 1988 issue of the "American-Arab Affairs" is presented.