...Making things worse in the Middle East Over the past few months, the Middle East has become an even more violent place than usual. Iraq is now once again home to one of the most bloody civil wars in the world, after Syria of course, which is the worst. Watching these horrors unfold, many in the United States are convinced that this is Washington’s fault or that, at the very least, the Obama administration’s “passive” approach toward the region has allowed instability to build. In fact, the last thing the region needs is more U.S. intervention. The Middle East is in the midst of a sectarian struggle, like those between Catholics and Protestants in Europe in the age of the Reformation. These tensions are rooted in history and politics and will not easily go away. Three factors have led us to this state of affairs. First, the structure of Middle Eastern states. The modern Middle East was created by the colonial powers at the end of World War I. The states the British and French created, often with little forethought, were composed of disparate groups that had no history of being governed as one entity. Iraq, for example, was formed by putting together three Ottoman provinces that had little in common. The colonial powers often chose a set of rulers who came from a minority group. (It was a cunning strategy. A minority regime always needs the help of some outside force to rule.) Thus the French, when facing a nationalist insurgency in Syria in the 1930s and 1940s, recruited...
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...The Future of the Middle East We often think of the Middle East as a volatile region, but for a time experts saw the region as relatively stable. Entrenched authoritarian regimes were seen as pillars of the region that rested on their coercive apparatus as well as rentierism to maintain their rule. Thus, it came as a shock to experts when the Arab Spring bulldozed regimes that had been in power for as long as forty years. The hope of the Arab Spring was to eradicate the despotic rulers of the Middle East and replace them with democratic institutions. However, this hope has not been realized as civil war, failures of newly democratic institutions and unscathed monarchies continue to plague the region. Still, the Arab Spring is in its infant stage. The outcomes in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria remain to be seen while it appears that the monarchies of the region are stronger than ever. The future of the Middle East will be divided between the monarchies and the republics. The monarchies will most likely keep the status quo (with the help of the United States) while the republics will shape the future of democracy in the region. While it is impossible to predict the future of the Middle East due to a number of factors including the Arab-Israeli and Kurdish conflicts and the drying of oil wells, most experts on the Middle East would agree with the notion that monarchies will continue to remain unscathed in comparison to their non-monarchical neighbors. However, these same people...
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...Chapter 8 1. How has Islam shaped conceptions of music for the peoples of the Middle East? In the Middle East, Islam is not just a religion; it is a way of life. Islam’s influence spread in the Middle East music conceptions. For example, the Arabic scale is strongly melodic, based around various maqamat or modes. Also, Mann explains that “under the wide rule of Islam, vulgar lyrics and suggestive dancing by women became illegal. Much post-Islamic music is used in ceremonial dance and recreation. (Mann)” In the Middle East, people may hear their songs of praise and prayer. The “World Music: A global Journey, says that “in addition to being suspicious of the sensual aspects of music Islamic aesthetics frowns on realistic representation in art, especially of the human form, to avoid the temptation toward idol worship. But as with sound, it may not always be obvious to outsiders what is considered art and what is not. (Miller 255)” Because, the influence of Islam has had great impact on people related with music, and people used to meditation, trance, and self-flagellation with one’s a higher sense of God while listening music. 2. What is modal improvisation? Is it primarily a compositional or a freely expressive form of performance? According to Henry, modal improvisation is that “a typical modal tune may have only two or three chords, and each may last 8 or even 16 measures. In one sense, modal playing is much easier than playing changes, since it does not require your brain...
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...Throughout the past years racism in the Middle East has increased dramatically, especially religious racism. Religious racism in the Middle East is more than gender or race (1). Religious racism can be found more in country like Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon (1).However some other form of racism likes ethnic can be found in many Middle Eastern countries. Religious racism has started to occur in most of the Middle Eastern country, since the invasion of Muslims people to country like Egypt and Lebanon in the seventh century. When Muslims invaded these country all the people who lived at these country were Christian, so Muslims started to collect taxes from Christian and treat them like slaves. Muslim enforced Christian to change their religious to Islam if they didn’t pay these taxes or don’t like Muslims is treatment and rule. Now day, Christian in the Middle East doesn’t pay tax to Muslim but they get less job opportunity, face a lot of difficulty if they want built churches or make some renewal to a church. For example, in Egypt, Christian need to get permission from the president of the country to built churches and after getting this permission they face a lot of trouble from the city is government. On the other hand Muslim built their praying house Mosques without facing any problem; these Mosques is build by the government and all future expenses gets funded it by the government. Also the constitution...
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...Women in the Middle East 1. Introduction 2. Before Islam 3. After Islam 4. Marriage 5. Education 6. Modern Day -Examples from different Arab countries -Arab Spring 7. What’s next? 8. Citations 1. Introduction Over the course of history, women in the Middle East, not so much different than around the world, haven’t been attaining all their full rights and haven’t been quite satisfied with the status of gender equality that the world continues to lack. The Middle East has its more than enough share with this ever-continuing phenomenon. The situation changes with every passing day, as it is affected by our effervescently changing political and social status. Religion has played an enormous role in the matter, as did politics, economy, and social standards. Women’s rights have increased and decreased soon before it was satisfactory enough. This continues and will continue to happen until women find themselves satisfied in our men-driven society. In order for one to judge the current and possible future status, we must understand the past and how women’s rights evolved to become where it is right now. 2. Before Islam Women before the dawn of Islam had practically no legal status in opposition to the traditional and standard tribal laws. Their own fathers sold them to their husbands or legal guardians; they had no choice in the matter and could be left at anytime according to the spouse’s will. They had no private property or...
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...“New trends of Middle East Economy” Middle East Economy Background Main economic sectors & main actors Current trends with alternative investment apart from oil industry” by Panakant Raschasri 5303640691 Middle East Economy Background The economic structure of Middle Eastern nations are different in the sense that while some nations are heavily dependent on export of only oil and oil-related products (such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait), others have a highly diverse economic base (such as Cyprus, Israel, Turkey and Egypt). Industries of the Middle Eastern region include oil and oil-related products, agriculture, cotton, cattle, dairy, textiles, leather products, surgical instruments, defense equipment (guns, ammunition, tanks, submarines, fighter jets, UAVs, and missiles). Banking is also an important sector of the economies, especially in the case of UAE and Bahrain. Main economic sectors & main actors Middle Eastern Oil-Exporting Countries The oil exporters comprise 12 countries: the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates) and Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen. Together, they account for 65 percent of global oil reserves and 45 percent of natural gas reserves. The countries are mainly exporters of oil, gas, and refined products, with oil and gas contributing about 50 percent to GDP and80 percent to revenue. They are diverse and differ substantially in terms of per...
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...www.ccsenet.org/res Review of European Studies Vol. 4, No. 3; July 2012 Europe and the Middle East: From Imperialism to Liberal Peace? Raymond Hinnebusch1 1 School of International Relations, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK Correspondence: Raymond Hinnebusch, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX, Scotland, UK. Tel: 44-1334-462-861. E-mail: rh10@st-andrews.ac.uk Received: November 24, 2011 Accepted: April 26, 2012 Online Published: July 1, 2012 doi:10.5539/res.v4n3p18 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/res.v4n3p18 Abstract Europe’s relation with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is discussed in the context of normative (International Society) and materialist approaches (World System’s Theory). First, European imperialism’s export of a flawed Westphalian state system is summarized. How Europe is “caught” between MENA and the US and co-opted into a division of labour toward the region is then surveyed. The gap between the normative rhetoric and actual inequitable outcomes and structures constructed under the Euro-Mediterranean partnership is examined, looking at the three “baskets” of economic developmental, political reform and cultural convergence. Four “hard cases,” EU policies toward Palestine, Iran, Syria and Turkey, illustrate the ambiguities of the EU’s approach to MENA. MENA public opinion’s ambivalence toward Europe reflects these realities. The conclusion is that the EU’sMENA policy...
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...CHAPTER 1: A GENERAL VIEW ABOUT THE MIDDLE-EAST 1. General Overview of Middle East The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and North Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East. The corresponding adjective is Middle-Eastern and the derived noun is Middle-Easterner. ▪ Traditional definition of the Middle East: Egypt, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, Cyprus, UAE, Oman, Yemen. ▪ Population: estimated 2010 about 350 million. ▪ Situated between Asia, Europe and Africa. Throughout its history, the Middle East has been a major centre of world affairs. ▪ The Middle East generally has an arid and hot climate. ▪ In modern times the Middle East remains a strategically, economically, politically, culturally and religiously sensitive region. The Middle East expected economic growth rate is at about 4.1% for 2010 and 5.1% in 2011. [pic] 2. Religions The Middle East is very diverse when it’s come to religions, many of which is originated there. Islam is the largest religion. Besides, Judaism and Christianity are also important there. There are still many branches in each religion. 1.3 Languages Three top languages based on numbers of speaker: ▪ Arabic: Arabic is the most widely spoken language in the Middle East, the influence of Arabic has been most important in Islam countries such as: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait...
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...The difficulties facing a UK company such as Carpetright PLC opening in the Middle East Carpetright would firstly check to see if there is a market for them in the Middle East and select a suitable location. The location would be determined by market size, local government investment support, supply of labor, etc. The current economic situation in places such as Dubai would favour Carpetright's investment as it is one of the many Emirates that are trying to attract investment in other businesses other than oil which they have been dependant on for decades. Secondly, there are is a growing number of real-estate projects returning after the recent slump that would increase demand on Carpetright's products. Warehousing costs would be significantly cheaper compared to the UK. Average commercial rent in Dubai for example would be around 80 GBP / sq. m against 500 GBP in the UK. Carpetright would probably still opt for an out-of-town location in the suburbs of Dubai because of these costs. Another advantage would be the much lower business rates compared to the UK which are some 80% cheaper. Further savings on labor that are generally 70% cheaper than the UK. There is also a large amount of labor waiting to be employed. Company taxation is zero in Dubai compared with 23% in the UK. This could be very appealing to shareholders wanting better returns on their investment. Apart from economic conditions, there are some political risks because of the uprisings or Arab Spring...
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...The Modern Middle East Student’s Name University The Modern Middle East The Middle East is a region of Western Asia and Egypt; some of the countries in this region are Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. According to Anderson, Seibert & Wagner (2006), this region is of vast geo-economic importance and since ancient times, it has been a center of world affairs. This part matters to almost all superpowers. The geographic factors that contribute to the strategic importance of the Middle East are; trade routes, oil, terrain or geography, ideology, and faith. The Middle East has always been a destination for both tourists and entrepreneurs. One of the geostrategic success factors to the Middle East is oil fields. Oil fields in the Middle East, which stretch from the Persian Gulf around Iran and Iraq, comprise of the largest oil reserve and deposits in the world, Pollack (2011). These oil fields contain approximately two-thirds of the world’s petroleum deposits. Access to this oil by superpowers such as the United States and Western Europe has always been considered to be vital, Pollack (2011). These regions would not be economically sound as they are if they lack access to the oil that is regarded as black gold of Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and Bahrein. Western world needs for oil will increase almost by half for the next half-century, despite the nuclear power development. The other factor that makes the Middle East to be strategically...
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...Literature Review on Human Resource Management in the Middle East. This paper seeks to investigate and review the literature of Human Resources Management (HRM) and its integration into the Middle East. According to Jordanian researchers, Aladwan, Bhunupgopan, & Fish, the few available 129 HRM Jordanian studies are not based on empirically-based but tend to be anecdotal in nature. Consequently, little concrete information exists to chart an effective awareness of either current or future HRM strategies or practices in the Middle East (2014). More fundamentally, structural barriers exists as well. Some of the local challenges that confronted the region included the very rapid demographic shift in the population, the varying oil prices, the glaring extremes of wealth, inadequate educational system and a very large semi illiterate population, and less than assertive governments that failed to bring long-term and short-term changes (Harry, 2007). To begin, there must be some recognition of the diversity of the Middle East. The three main areas are so-called because of the legacy of colonization and European statecraft. The Levant consists of the geographical region that includes Israel, Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. This area has a very long history tied to Europe going back centuries to the Crusades and the Holy Roman Empire. The Gulf regions comprised of the Arabian Peninsula and has only been regionally important in the past century and the discovery of oil....
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...An American Policy in Transitioning Middle Eastern Environments For many decades the Middle East region dealt with power struggles, badly drawn borders, and the Arab-Israeli conflict or Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These examples are just some of what plagues the region and attests to their continued unstableness. The Middle East will undoubtedly remain unstable now and through the near future as it tries to rewrite constitutions, call for reforms, and is engaged in ongoing protests. Regardless, building a stable economic power and government is not one simple solution and takes time. As some nations strive for liberal democracies or constitutional monarchies, there must be political pluralism and with that secularism or at least pseudo-secularism. All things equal, the U.S. foreign policy must see a change in its promotion— a different, new way to deal with the Middle East as a whole and the diverse specific countries. There is no question as to whether conflict will arise in other countries within the Middle East, we know it will, but how the U.S. chooses to position itself in the fight includes stability and democracy on the overall position and relationships and development in terms of specific countries. This paper explains steps that could be taken in forming a U.S. foreign policy in the emerging Middle East region. Some people educated or not about foreign affairs are pushing for the U.S. to take action and use the Middle East crises as an advantage. They want...
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...There are many religions in the Middle East, but two of the major ones are Islam and Christianity. These religions are very important to the Middle East for many reasons. These religions are special because of their background, major beliefs, the holy books, and their sacred spots in the Middle East. In the seventh century in Mecca, Saudi Arabia the religion Islam was brought to the world. Then in 610 A.D Muhammad introed it to the people. Muhammad was visited by an angel and that was when the angel revealed the beginning or later known as the Qur’ah. Christianity started about two thousand years ago in Judea or other wise known as Israel now. Paul is the founder of Christianity. Jesus is known to be God’s son. Jesus was traveling village to village teaching in the synagogues and healing to who were suffering. People then started following him and they are known as his disciples. Then when Jesus died on the cross, then three days later he rose from the dead. His disciples were so amazed and so they went and told the good news to everybody. Both of the places where these religions originated are in the Middle East and they also play a huge role in the religion today. The...
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...N A L A F F A I R S M A N A G E M E N T R E P O R T THE MIDDLE EAST CONFECTIONERY MARKET: OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. CONFECTIONERY EXPORTS Prepared by Bryant Christie Inc. for the National Confectioners Association January 30, 2009 Seattle Telephone: 206 292 6340 Sacramento Telephone: 916 492 7062 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………… ……..1 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………4 BACKGROUND ……………………………………………………………………4 METHODOLOGY ……….…………………………………………………………4 REPORT FORMAT …………………………………………………………………4 GENERAL MARKET ENVIRONMENT…………………………………………………… 5 MARKET FOR CONFECTIONERY IN THE MIDDLE EAST……………………………….7 CONSUMPTION TRENDS…………………………..………..……………………. .8 COMPETITION ..……………………………..…………………………...……………..13 MULTINATIONAL PRODUCERS…………………………………………………...14 LOCAL PRODUCERS……………………………………………………………...14 CONFECTIONERY IMPORTS….…………………………………………………...16 DISTRIBUTION……………………………………………………………………… …18 RETAIL……..……….......…………………………………………….……….…19 CONVENIENCE STORES …....……………………………………………. ……...22 HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND CAFETERIA …..……….……………………………23 COLD STORAGE….. ....…………………………………………………….. ……24 MARKET ACCESS ..………………………………………………………….…………..24 LABELING …..…………………………………………………………………..26 CONCLUSIONS……………………………..………………………….……………. ….27 APPENDICES RETAIL PRICES FOR LEADING CONFECTIONERY BRANDS U.S. AND COMPETITOR CONFECTIONERY EXPORTS TO THE MIDDLE EAST CONTACTS Middle East Confectionery Market:: Opportunities for U.S. Confectionery Exports January 30...
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...United States and the Middle East For the past few decades, United States foreign policy has revolved around the situation in the Middle East. This is due mostly to the fact that tensions between the United States and the Islamic countries of the Middle East are always high. Also with the United States’ most valuable resource, oil, found in highest supply in the Middle East, America has a vested economic interest into the political stability of the region. However, after a costly war in Iraq that tarnished our image not only in the Middle East but around the world and a situation in Israel that hasn’t shown any lasting progress for decades, it’s time for the United States to take another look at its political strategy for achieving lasting peace in the region. With the events of early 2011 in the Middle East, otherwise known as Arab Spring, the region has become highly unstable and vulnerable to the influences of terrorism. This is a critical time for the United States to reestablish healthy diplomatic relations in the region in order to decrease the spread terrorism and harsh anti-American sentiment as well as bring about a lasting peace. In order for America to improve its foreign affairs in the Middle East it needs to finish strong in Iraq and Afghanistan, reach a peace agreement in Israel, push for more diplomacy with Iran, and support the rebels in Syria fighting injustice. By involving the rest of the world in the current situation in the Middle East the United States...
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