ABSTRACT
The procedure by which the description of the total Middle Eastern landscape was built up from the physical basis through the socio-economic and cultural systems to the political overlay is equally applicable to individual states. For each state, the components summarise the main elements of the physical, socio-economic, cultural and political/military systems. At the same time, the analogy with the theatre can be pursued further and the components have been refi ned to offer an assessment of the state’s power to act on the Middle Eastern and global stage. Power in this context can be related to such factors as location, area, population, economic and military strength and external support through connectivity. It may be exemplifi ed or enhanced through the action of an infl uential individual.
