This is a time of unprecedented change for the countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Tunisia, in December 2010, saw the first in a series of protests and demonstrations that has become known as the Arab Spring. Decades of political repression, pressing social demands, high unemployment and entrenched corruption led to civil unrest and the toppling, throughout 2011, of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Other countries in the region have rushed into making some kinds of reforms in attempts to appease unrest. These, together with other key political and economic events from October 2010 through to September 2011, are chronicled in this latest edition of The Middle East and North Africa directory.
Having reached its 58th edition, this directory follows a well tried and tested format. Part one is a general survey with specially commissioned essays which consider issues of significance to the region as a whole in some considerable depth, e.g. the essay on Arab‐Israeli Relations extends to 50 pages. Other essays deal with The Jerusalem Issue, nuclear proliferation, political Islam, oil, gas and religions and all have been brought fully update for this edition.
The twenty two countries covered in this volume are Algeria, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Autonomous Areas, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spanish North Africa, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The chapters for each include essays on physical and social geography, recent history and the economy; key statistical data; a directory of official bodies and key organizations giving full contact details; and a bibliography with suggestions for further research. The statistical data included covers three years – these tend to be either 2007 to 2009 or 2008 to 2010. However, these do vary considerably e.g. the most recent industrial production figures for Israel are dated 1994 while Iran's international reserves are given for the years 1993 to 1995. Other sources would require to be consulted to give a current picture. The final section lists international organizations operating in the region, research institutes specialising in the region and a select bibliography of essential books and journals.
I have commented previously that the volumes in this series would benefit greatly from the inclusion of maps. Although the location of each country is described by listing the countries on its borders, a visual representation would convey so much more and more quickly. Perhaps if not a map for each country, then a map of the region?
This directory provides an excellent, detailed and comprehensive overview of the region together with an indication of its current challenges. It is highly recommended for all reference collections.
