Causes of the Six Day War
The causes of the six day war (also called the 1967 war) between Israel and its Arab neighbors are important to understanding Arab-Israeli relations...
History of the Veil in Early Islam: Prestige and Segregation of the Muslim Female
At the time of the dawn of Islam, women of high status in greater Arabia followed the Mesopotamian practice of veiling to indicate their...
The First Caliphs and the Rise of the Islamic Empire
When Muhammad died unexpectedly in 632 CE no one was in place to take over leadership of the expanding Islamic world. The resulting power...
Overview of Madaba and Mosaic Map on Syria, Palestine and Egypt
Madaba is one of Jordan's most important Christian sites and the home of the "Geographical Madaba Mosaic Map on Syria, Palestine and Egypt."
The Map,...
Kemal Ataturk, Revolutionary and Founder of Modern Turkey
Mustafa Kemal's ambition was to liberate Turkey from ancient beliefs which he believed made it backward and prevented it from joining the modern world.
Kemal...
The 1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon – Back Story
The operational objectives of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 are relatively well known, less so the complex back story to the event.
On...
British and Polish Mercenaries in 1960s Yemen
Whether “Soldiers of Fortune”, “Dogs of War”, or, as they like to call themselves, “Advisers”, the adventures of mercenaries have always been the stuff...
War Over Water in the Middle East
Historically in the Middle East there has always been a struggle for nations to ensure adequate water supplies for their own citizens.
The fragility of...
An Overview of Lake Kinneret, the Biblical Sea of Galilee
Today Lake Kinneret, the Biblical Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias (and historically by many other names), still plays an important role...
Ancient Phoenician City of Byblos, Lebabon
Byblos, an ancient Phoenician city located on Lebanon's Mediterranean coast has been settled since Neolithic times. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNESCO’s...