1. Explain how the Greater Middle East/Gulf is shaped by its various regional geographies (Middle East vs. Gulf vs. North Africa, Fertile Crescent vs. deserts), and its geo-economic importance (oil vs. international trade routes or nomadism and agriculture vs. urbanism and industrialization). 2. Explain the key historical-political factors that shape the Greater Middle East/Gulf (Muhammad’s Islamic religion; Arab unity under 3 empires from 700 to 1918 A.D.; Arab divisiveness and political rivalry under national governments since the 1930s; the Super-Powers’ influence in the region during the Cold War; and the reasons for the 50 years-long Arab-Israeli conflict).
