12th Edition - July 2008
Western civilization has always had a unique relationship with the Middle East. The West's religious impulse and political models were sparked by contact with the region. During the Crusades, exposure to the wealth and learning of Middle Eastern cities forced Europeans to acknowledge their own backwardness. With the rise of the West in the modern era, the Middle East was seen as the antithesis of Western progress and dynamism. Today, the region continues to maintain a potent grip on our imagination. For Americans, the oil resources of the Persian Gulf, our attachment to Israel, and fears about terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction have made the Middle East an increasingly critical area of U.S. involvement.

Shifting Sands: Balancing U.S. Interests in the Middle East analyzes the mix of interests and values that have drawn the United States into the Middle East. This unit asks students to consider the principles behind America's presence in the Middle East and provides students the opportunity to understand and evaluate U.S. policy both from the U.S. and Middle Eastern perspectives.