This short, jargon-free primer provides students with the basic background in the geography, history, politics, and religion of the Middle East and North Africa that they need to truly understand this fascinating region.

The perfect text for any introductory Middle Eastern or comparative politics course, this accessible primer gives students, who begin the class knowing virtually nothing about the area, the background and context they need to study the changing political institutions and processes of the region. This objective, clearly-written overview of the Middle East and North Africa is organized into chapters covering regions, settings, political geography, religion, and history.