Since the Second World War, conflicts such as the Iran-Iraq War and the Kuwait Crisis have made the Middle East the main focus of military attention. This book analyses the nature of conflict in the Middle East, with its racial, ethnic, political, cultural, religious and economic factors.

Giving a much-needed historical overview, the main conflicts are also put in their wider context with a thematic debate of issues such as:

* the emergence of radical Islam
* the resolution of conflicts
* diplomacy and peace-making
* the role of the superpowers.

This second edition brings the book right up to date and includes an examination of the effects of 9/11 on the Middle East peace process and Bush''s war on terrorism. Also included is an updated discussion of the superpower conflict in the Middle East and the Kurdish situation and a new chapter covering the recent war in Iraq.