Middle East Study Notes

Middle East Study Notes

Ten Reasons to Study the Middle East

• Tricontinental Hub: The Middle East is a vital economic intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Geopolitical Significance: Holds a unique and crucial geopolitical position.
• Cradle of Civilization: A foundational region for early human development.
• Birthplace of Monotheistic Religions: Origin of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• Trade Crossroads: A historical center for movement and trade.
• Extensive Empires: Site of numerous influential empires throughout history.
• Petroleum Reserves: Contains 65% of the world's petroleum.
• Population: Houses 289.5 million people across 16 countries.
• Political and Ideological Ferment: A region of significant political and ideological shifts.
• Persistent Conflicts: Witness to some of the most enduring conflicts since World War II.

Recent News and Discussion Frequency

• The Middle East has been consistently in the news since 1947, especially concerning conflicts and tensions.
• Frequent discussions arise from the ongoing complexities and developments in the region, often involving Israel and other nations.

Unifying Factor

• Islamic fundamentalism is largely a shared factor uniting many nations in the Middle East.

Contemporary Aspects

• Oil: A prominently important aspect of the region's economy and geopolitical influence.
• Arab-Israeli Conflict: Historical and current tensions remain substantial.
• Rivalries: Internal disputes between various states and leaders remain a persistent factor.
• Iran-Saudi Arabia Rivalry: Notable conflict and competition exist between these powerful nations.
• Extremism: Religious extremism presents a significant concern.

Core of the Middle East

• The Fertile Crescent, primarily modern-day Iraq, is considered a crucial historical and agricultural center in the region.

Nomenclature Origin

• Alfred T. Mahan, an American captain, named the area in 1912.
• The term's persistence reflects its central location in relation to other continents and its geographical importance.

Conflict Locations

• The Levant, particularly Israel, and historical conflicts around Iraq/Kuwait/Iran have been prominent.
• Afghanistan was also a focal point of conflict in the region.

Definition of Levant

• Levant translates to "Rising Sun," geographically referring to countries bordering the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Includes Iraq and Jordan.

Maghrib and Mashriq Locations

• Maghrib: Northern/Northwestern Africa (Libya to Morocco) and above the Sahara Desert.
• Mashriq: Arab countries east of Libya.

Inclusion of North Africa

• Geographers include North Africa due to its Arab/Muslim population, historical connections to Muslim territories, and shared cultural links.

Focal Points of Imperial Power

• Babylonian, Hittite, Egyptian, Persian, Roman and Ottoman empires.

Persistence of "Middle East" Term

• The term Middle East is a geographical and regionally-relevant name.

ME 1:2 Water Crisis Study Notes

Water Problem in MENA

• The water situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is deteriorating, showing a negative trend and projected to worsen.

MENA Definition

• MENA: Middle East and North Africa.

Water Poverty Line Countries

• 17 countries are below the water poverty line (The list of countries is not provided).

Factors Impacting Water

• Rapid population growth.
• Economic growth.
• Shared water resources across borders.
• Climate change.

Absolute Water Scarcity Countries (2014)

• A sizable number of MENA countries were considered facing absolute scarcity of fresh water (the complete list of countries is provided).
• Countries heavily impacted by absolute water scarcity are concentrated in the Arabian Peninsula due to harsh desert climates.

Countries With More Sustainable Water Use

• Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Tunisia.

Desalination Usage

• More than 150 countries use desalination globally; MENA represents a significant portion, approximately 46.7%.

Desalination Liabilities

• High carbon footprint.
• Damage to ecosystems.

Wealth and Desalination Correlation

• Wealthier countries tend to use desalination more, due to its cost.
• Average GDP per capita of countries heavily employing unconventional water sources was around $41,000.

Strategies for Future Water

• Water efficiency improvements.
• Diversified water uses.
• Development of unconventional water sources.

Explore the ten compelling reasons to study the Middle East, a region that serves as a tricontinental hub and a cradle of civilization. Understand its geopolitical significance, historical empires, and the vital role it plays in global petroleum reserves. Dive into the complexities of its population dynamics and persistent conflicts shaped by its rich history.