ABSTRACT
In this study, the term ‘Middle East’ will be used to refer to that region where the modern states of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iraq, and Iran are to be found. All but the last of these are within the ancient Fertile Crescent that also includes Palestine: at present, a ‘state-in-waiting’. This region is now almost totally Muslim and all but Iran and Israel are Arab in culture. Cyprus, Turkey and the Arabian Gulf will also be touched upon.
