OSHER 514 - Politics and Civil War in the Middle East

What happened to the "Arab Spring"? Barely two years later, the whole area seems to be in a state of turmoil with some countries immersed in civil war and others on the brink of war with each other. U.S. influence is on the decline, with Russia stepping in. Terrorist organizations remain major players, while cries for democracy and moderation emerge from unexpected places. We will examine the political, religious, and terrorist leaders in the region, and discuss their politics, objectives, and conflicts. We will also examine the relationships and conflicts between governments such as Israel, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, and how all these conflicts are interrelated.