The Middle East in the 20th Century

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Rated 5 out of 5 by Nicholas from Lovely course presented in an engaging manner I decided I needed a quick brush up on my history of the Middle East and started and stopped a couple of different Great Courses in that pursuit. I was drawn in to this one by the stellar presentation style and high production quality and it kept me engrossed until the end, watching and taking notes for two lectures each morning with my coffee to start off my day. I'll be watching this professor's other courses. The only issue I had was the sometimes confused pace of events over several episode chunks, with the same events being re-explained. At first I was a little annoyed but then I realized the professor is putting everything in context again and again to reinforce the importance of every part of the region. This also means that the lectures can act as individual episodes in a vacuum due to the breadth contextual explanation so if I feel the need to brush up on Nasser, or 1979, or what have you I won't feel a need to watch the preceding two lectures again to prepare, as I do with many Great Courses. All in all, a fantastic course and worth going through a second time! Thank you professor!

Date published: 2023-09-24

Rated 4 out of 5 by TheAnalyst89 from Knowledgeable I am from Saudi, I know the region politics and i can say well done.

Date published: 2023-08-10

Rated 5 out of 5 by cpr_norcal from Superb The Instructor's personal experiences added greatly to his very well-crafted presentations. Highly relevant. I learned a lot!

Date published: 2023-07-12

Rated 5 out of 5 by pat2023 from Spectacular It's tricky business teaching modern history. The professor masterfully threads the myriad actors, moving borders and all the variations of the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa into a framework to use as a lens to help view future events there. His time spent immersed there adds an important and unique dimension to his teachings.

Date published: 2023-04-16

Rated 5 out of 5 by Gianotter from A Very Interesting Course I've always wanted to know what the causes of the unrest were and are in the Middle East and how it started. This series of lectures covers some of the head lining issues at quite a gallop. Its far too involved to be addressed by 24 lectures. Mr Gearon provides an in depth overview of the main issues of the past 100 years. He's an excellent narrator and addresses the headlining events very clearly. I watched all the lectures within about ten days and now I'd like to review it again more slowly, I wont ever understand how we have ended up with such a mess nor how when we try to fix things we just make things worse, but I do appreciate the mess the Middle East is in. Thank you once again Great Courses for a stimulating course, and thank you Mr Gearon for explaining the events I have wittnessed as a child and as an adult but never fully understood until now.

Date published: 2022-08-06

Rated 5 out of 5 by Michael 52 from Good resource Well done in all respects. I learned a great deal. The teacher is knowledgeable and able to balance what can be a touchy subject. Course moves at just the right pace to both inform, while still being an excellent introduction. I understand news about the region much better now, thanks to this course. I recommend it if you need the background to fully understand current events too.

Date published: 2022-07-11

Rated 5 out of 5 by MS4Him from Excellent Study I am in the process of going through this course. So far, I have learned a lot about the Middle East and it seems to be leading up to how all these historical developments produced the current situation. Already answered a lot of questions I have had.

Date published: 2022-05-23

Rated 5 out of 5 by Etudiante from Lots of great insights. This is an engrossing course taught in a clear and a well-informed way. Just ignore the annoying intro music.

Date published: 2022-05-20

Overview

In The Middle East in the 20th Century, you will gain a marvelous introduction to the history of the region. Taught by author and Arabist Eamonn Gearon, these 24 enlightening lessons bring clarity to a convoluted, multifaceted story. From the end of the Ottoman Empire to the creation of Israel to the Arab Spring, this course is an absolute must for anyone who wants to understand our world today.

About

Eamonn Gearon

Change is our constant, and the past does indeed inform the present.

ALMA MATER

University of London

INSTITUTION

Johns Hopkins University

Eamonn Gearon is a Professorial Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, in Washington DC. He received his M.A. in Near and Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, and has also taught at the American University in Cairo.

Mr. Gearon is the cofounder and managing director of The Siwa Group, a specialist consultancy firm, where he trains U.S. Department of State officials, Department of Defense workers, and other U.S. government employees whose work takes them to, or is concerned with, North Africa and the Middle East.

Mr. Gearon spent years living in, traveling, and exploring the Sahara. These days, he enjoys his role as a public speaker, whose presentations combine elements of Middle Eastern history and contemporary affairs. He is a distinguished speaker on Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 and other vessels.

Mr. Gearon has published extensively on Middle Eastern history, culture, and contemporary politics. A regular reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement and other prestigious publications, he is also the author of The Sahara: A Cultural History. He has contributed to numerous other titles, including the Encyclopedia of African History (edited by Kevin Shillington), Meetings with Remarkable Muslims: A Collection of Travel Writing (edited by Barnaby Rogerson and Rose Baring), and Sahara Overland: A Route and Planning Guide.

By This Expert

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Trailer

01: A Middle East Crossroads in the Year 1900

This course opens in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, when the forces of nationalism and political reform were simmering in the Middle East and North Africa. See how Western imperialism, the politics of oil, and the push for a Jewish state all set the stage for the 20th century.

28 min

02: Constitutional Revolts in Persia and Turkey

Some of the earliest pushes for constitutional reform in the Middle East occurred in Persia (modern Iran) and Turkey. Look at how protests in Persia led to a new government. Then meet the Young Turks who wanted a united Turkey to supersede the Ottoman Empire. Consider how these revolutions fell short.

30 min

03: World War I and the Ottoman Empire’s Fall

The First World War was a tremendous turning point for the Middle East. During the war, Great Britain made incompatible promises about Arab and Turkish nationalism, as well as the construction of a Jewish state. See how these contradictory forces collided in the years after the war.

32 min

04: Egyptian Revolution and Turkish Independence

Continue your study of the fallout from World War I, here with a look at the Turkish War of Independence in 1919, as well as anti-British uprisings from Egypt to Iraq. By 1923, the Middle East and North Africa had a new map. Witness the retreat of the British from the politics of Egypt, Syria, and elsewhere.

24 min

05: Monarchies of the 20th-Century Middle East

Examine the monarchies in the Middle East and North Africa in the period between the World Wars. After reviewing the kinds of Mideast monarchies in this era, you will delve into the particular example of Saudi Arabia and reflect on how the politics of oil shaped the region.

26 min

06: The Muslim Brotherhood and Its Founder

One of the most influential figures in 20th century Middle East history is the Muslim imam Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood. Examine the process of secularization taking place between the wars and review al-Banna’s efforts to create a pan-Islamist force throughout the Middle East.

28 min

07: World War II Fault Lines in the Middle East

Take a high-level look at World War II and its impact on the Middle East and North Africa. Eamonn takes you inside several notable battles, including the Battles of El Alamein and Operation Torch. He reflects on the impact of the war on local populations and their political objectives.

32 min

08: European Anti-Semitism and Israel’s Birth

The roots of Zionism stretch back decades, arguably to the year 70 CE, but antisemitism in Europe throughout the 19th century led activists such as Theodore Herzl to push for an independent Jewish state. Trace the development of Israel, including the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the migration between the wars, and the creation of Israel in 1948.

31 min

09: How Nasser Transformed Egypt and the World

Gamal Abdul Nasser is such a towering figure of 20th century history that the period from 1952 to 1970 could be thought of as “the Age of Nasser.” Meet this political revolutionary, learn about his political philosophy of Arab nationalism, and review his presence on the world stage.

32 min

10: The Suez Crisis and Cold War in the Desert

The Cold War between the US and Soviet superpowers played out in myriad ways in the Middle East, and Egypt offers a great case study. Here, see how Nasser played both sides against each other, and then turn to other conflicts, including the Suez Crisis of 1956, the Lebanon Crisis of 1958, and the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

25 min

11: The Algerian War of Independence

Shift your attention to the North African nation of Algeria and witness the war for independence against France, from 1954 to 1962. The Algerian War provides a prism through which to view the French colonial experience in the region, along with the region’s experience of the French.

26 min

12: Middle Eastern Armies and Coup D’états

Between 1949 and 1970, no fewer than 20 successful coup d’états took place across the Middle East and North Africa. After defining what this military intervention looks like, Eamonn considers examples in Iran, Syria, and elsewhere to understand how these coups affected life and politics.

27 min

13: The 1967 Arab-Israeli War and Its Aftermath

Conflicts between Israel and neighboring Arab states is a major theme of the region’s history for the past 70 years. In this lesson, you will look at the causes, results, and long-term consequences of the Six Day War of June 1967 and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War of October 1973.

26 min

14: The Arab Oil Embargo of 1973

Delve into the politics and economics of oil and its impact on the Middle East. After reviewing the founding and purpose of OPEC, Eamonn walks you through several “oil shocks” in the Middle East. See how oil drove political activity and provided a lever of power for oil-producing countries.

26 min

15: Lebanon’s Civil War and Rise of Intolerance

In the 1960s, the Lebanese capital of Beirut was known as “the Paris of the Middle East” and a destination for international jet-setters. Explore the history of this nation, which gained independence in 1943, and see how it was torn apart by war from 1975 to 1990. Survey the roots, actions, and consequences of this civil war.

27 min

16: Terrorism, Islam, and Sayyid Qutb

Terrorism is a relatively recent political tactic, and it has been employed by groups within the Middle East from the Palestine Liberation Organization to al-Qaeda. Here, reflect on the roots of terrorism in the region, the trouble with the term “Islamic terrorism,” and some notable instances of terrorism in the second half of the 20th century.

22 min

17: How 1979 Transformed Iran, Egypt, and Iraq

Find out why 1979 is one of the most groundbreaking and revolutionary years of the 20th century. In this lesson, you will assess four pivotal events in the region during the shape-shifting year: the Iranian Revolution, the Egypt-Israel peace treaty, Iraq’s Ba’ath Party purge, and the siege of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mosque of Mecca.

29 min

18: The Iran-Iraq War and a Decade of Horrors

In the wake of 1979, Iran had become a Shia Muslim theocracy, upsetting the strategic balance of power in the Middle East and North Africa. Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein came to power in Iraq as a Sunni minority leader over a secular Arab Nationalist State. Witness the decade of conflict between these two nations.

27 min

19: The First Gulf War in Kuwait

Why did Saddam Hussein invade Kuwait fewer than two years after the conclusion of a disastrous war between Iraq and Iran? To answer this question, dive into the invasion and occupation of Kuwait, survey the aftermath of this war, and consider its long-term consequences for Iraq, the West, and the Middle East at large.

29 min

20: A Path through Oslo to Arab-Israeli Détente

The 1993 Oslo Accords were a groundbreaking moment in relations between Israel and representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization—a stunning breakthrough after years of stalemate. Trace the background leading up to this landmark moment, meet the key players, and review the historical significance of the agreement.

24 min

21: US Invasion of Iraq and Its Consequences

After the Oslo Accords, the Middle East and North Africa were largely quiet until the 9/11 attacks in the United States. See why the United States used an attack from al-Qaeda as pretext to invade Iraq, and then follow the course of the US war in Iraq through the military exit of 2011.

25 min

22: Are Democracy and Islam Compatible?

Why aren’t there more democratic countries in the Middle East? Is there a road that leads from autocracy to democracy? To answer these vexing questions, go back to the end of World War I and survey the shifting types of government throughout the Middle East and North Africa, from the League of Nations to the Arab Spring.

31 min

23: Taking Stock of Progress in the Middle East

While much of this course has focused on the political and military history of the region, the story of society throughout the 20th century is equally important to understanding the world today. Examine the occupations, lifestyles, health, wealth, education, and other indicators of daily life in the region.

23 min

24: After the Arab Spring

Eamonn closes the course with a turning point that bookends the revolutionary century since the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Learn about the causes and consequences of the Arab Spring across the Middle East and North Africa. Although we don’t yet know what comes next, what is clear is that change is inevitable, and the past informs the present.

32 min