The Middle East and South Asia 2019-2020

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 53rd 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.

Dr. Elisabeth Yarbakhsh is a researcher at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (the Middle East and Central Asia) at the Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, Australia. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honors), majoring in anthropology and development studies, and a Bachelor of Asian Studies, majoring in Urdu/Persian and contemporary Asian societies, both from ANU. Dr. Yarbakhsh completed her PhD in 2017.

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