The latest edition of Melissa Rossi's popular What Every American Should Knowseries gives a crash course on one of the most complex and important regions of the world. In this highly informative and entertaining reference book, Rossi offers a clear analysis of the issues playing out in the Middle East, delving into each country's history, politics, economy, and religions. Having traveled through the area over the past year, she exposes firsthand the U.S.'s geopolitical moves and how our presence has affected the region's economic and political development. Rossi's comprehensive and engaging guide covers countries such as Israel, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and much more. Topics include:

Why Iran is viewed as a threat by most Middle East countries

Why the U.S. is turning the Persian Gulf into an armed fortress

What resource is more important than petroleum in regional power plays

What's really behind the fighting between Sunni and Shia

How Saudi Arabia inadvertently feeds the violence in Iraq and beyond

Which countries are modern, forward-thinking, stable and increasingly democratic

How monarchies like those in Jordan and Qatar are more open and progressive than the so-called republics

With answers that will surprise many Americans, and covering a vast history and cultural complexity that will fascinate any student of the world, What Every American Should Know About the Middle East is a must-read introduction to the most critical region of the 21st century.

"A funky foreign affairs seminar."

Newsday

"Fun and informativeabsorbing on many levels."

The Chicago Tribune

"[An] engaging travel guide complete with the basicsdemographics, history, hot spots, and notable natives."

Publishers Weekly