During the past 50 years, there has been much debate and hand-wringing over how best to create a self-sustaining and independent Palestinian state. While many attempts have been made, in some sense very little substantial progress has been made. A team of researchers at the RAND Corporation has created this 453-page monograph that contains a singularly comprehensive set of recommendations for the...

The Department of History, University at Albany, SUNY (last reviewed in the January 21, 2000 Scout Report) has put together a useful and straightforward metasite covering resources on the history and culture of the Middle East. History in the News focuses specifically on Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE,...

Founded in 1954, the Middle East Institute of Columbia University has offered a multidisciplinary approach to studying the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on the 19th and 20th century. Currently under the direction of Professor Rashid Khalidi, the Institute sponsors a number of conferences and talks each year, and also functions as a clearinghouse for information on the region. Alongside...

Understanding some of the policy shifts between the United States and Europe regarding international intervention strategies can be difficult, and there are numerous factors that must be considered in any such analysis. This compelling paper from Philip H. Gordon of The Brookings Institution looks at the changing approach to policies in the Middle East during the past few years, with special...

The Middle East is a vastly complex region, both in terms of its cultural history and the very intricate political economy that is in flux throughout the area. The UN News Centre area dedicated to the Middle East will help interested parties keep abreast of developments in the area, along with providing them access to information about the UN's activities and initiatives in the region. The site...

The World Bank works to combat poverty and to increase development opportunities around the world, but they also have selected six strategic themes that focus in on global development. First-time visitors to the site can listen to World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick talk about these themes, and they may also wish to follow along with the accompanying slideshow. Themes include global public...