Middle East and South Asia 2023-2024

The World Today Series: The Middle East and South Asia. More than a quarter of the world’s population live in the Middle East and South Asia, yet our knowledge and understanding of the region is often limited to news updates about the latest conflicts and crises. This edition of the annually updated volume of the World Today Series provides important insights that take the reader beyond the headlines. It offers detailed and up-to-date information about the politics, economies and societies of the twenty-four states that make up the region. Contemporary events are placed in their historical context, through an examination of major civilizations and key historical events. This volume introduces major themes that have shaped the region, including the struggles of ordinary people to achieve democratic rights; the role of oil in shaping society; burgeoning environmental threats; and the rise and fall of the Islamic State caliphate. While there is reason for optimism in regards to the Middle East and South Asia, this is tempered by the very real challenges that confront the region. The general reader will gain an understanding of these challenges and opportunities through an exploration of current and past developments.

Ilan Pappe is the director of The European Center for Palestine Studies and a senior fellow at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. He has published 20 books.

The State of Democracy: Seasons of Hope and Despair Black Gold or Resource Curse? The Impact of Oil on the Middle East and Beyond An Uncertain Climate: Regional Environment Challenges The Rise and Decline of a Modern Caliphate Historical Background The Spread of Civilization The Rise and Fall of Empires Hebrews and Judaeans The Hellenistic Age, Roman Rule, and Christianity Zoroastrian, Buddhist, and Hindu Cultures Muhammad and the Rise of Islam Islamic Expansion and Society: The Arab Caliphate The Barbarian Invasions The Safavid, Ottoman, and Mogul Empires European Expansion into the Indian Ocean The Creation of the British Raj Nations of the Middle East Bahrain Egypt Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey United Arab Emirates Yemen Map 1910 Map Today Nations of South Asia Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Disputed Territories Abu Musa (Gap Sabzu) and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs British Indian Ocean Territory (the Chagos Archipelago) The Occupied Territories East Jerusalem (Arab Jerusalem) The Golan Heights (Jawlan) Jammu and Kashmir Regional Organizations Gulf Cooperation Council League of Arab States South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Selected Bibliography of Key English Language Sources