The Middle East is a pressure cooker of constant upheaval, and always with the threat of war in the air. But digging deeper reveals that there are complex dynamics at work, both culturally and politically, and understanding the conflict in this region starts with understanding not only recent events, but ancient events, as well. Noted history writer Alan Axelrod breaks down the political and cultural stereotypes and helps readers not only understand what has happened in the last 100 years, but why it has happened, who was involved, and what might happen in the future. Readers will learn about the ancient conflicts and tensions that still drive many of the events of today, and then help readers understand how those events still shape the region. Readers will learn about the conflicts and events of the last century, as well as the current century, and how those have shaped a region that is in constant turmoil and always in a state of change.