The Making of the Modern Middle East: 1900 to the Present Day

The modern Middle East continues to have the power to capture our attention at almost every turn. Yet why does it look as it does today, so frequently turbulent, contradictory and defiant of explanation? This course analyses key issues such as religious and social identities, geography, external interventions, resources, and political and economic development to illustrate the highly complex tapestry of history, dynamics and peoples.

Aims 

This course aims to:   

• deliver a stimulating and enjoyable series of talks and discussions both for those with a general or specific interest in the region and for those in higher or further education  
   
• provide both a broad and a long context to enable you to further develop your knowledge and critical analysis of a complex and often contested set of issues 
   
• encourage you to contribute at whatever level you wish 

Content 

The ’Middle East’ is rarely out of the headlines, retaining a centrality and exerting extraordinary influence, with the war in Gaza the latest manifestation. It is a region that represents and encapsulates so many of the major currents of historical development, from its most ancient heritage, the emergence of the three principal monotheistic religions, external penetration by a series of very different empires, and on to 20th-century nationalism, world wars, ideologies, post-colonialism and conflict. How can we best begin to understand why as a region it is so contested, often chaotic and frequently violent? 

Rupert Wallace’s sessions will start with the demise and collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the 19th century, which set the conditions for a power vacuum and subsequent western penetration. The first session will look at the transformative effects of the First World War, the Mandates of the inter-war period and the emergence of oil as a key resource, concluding with the convulsive geopolitical shifts occasioned by the Second World War. The second session will focus on the Arab-Israeli conflict, discussing the irreconcilable aspirations of Jews and Arabs, the creation of the State of Israel, the reactions of the Arab states, the eventual emergence of a Palestinian movement but an enduring failure to find a lasting peace. The third session will look at the wider situation of the region in the post-war decades, using the lenses of the Cold War, the rise and fall of Arab nationalism and the increasing involvement of the hitherto more distant United States.  

The impact of the much-trumpeted ‘American moment’ as the Soviet Union collapses, analysis of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, together with the significance of the emergence of revolutionary Iran as a major regional actor, are the subjects of the fourth talk. Finally, the fifth session will look at the Arab Uprisings, the significance of two blocs led respectively by Iran and a Sunni/Israeli coalition, and the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, and will conclude with a discussion of where we are today and what the future might hold for this crucial region. 

Presentation of the course  

The course will be taught in five sessions over one week. Rupert will deliver the course in an informal and discursive style, encouraging questions and points as he goes along, leading to wider discussion. He will always be available after each class to discuss and develop further any aspect of the issues covered, and to offer advice and support to those who are considering submitting written work for formal evaluation. Above all, Rupert emphasises inclusivity and a space that can comfortably accommodate a range of paces and preferences, from those who might choose to partake more by listening, to those who wish to be more active and to take intellectual risk.   

Course sessions 

1. Transformation: 
   New imperialism, world wars and nationalism, 1900-1945.   
    
2. Case Study: 
   The Arab-Israeli Conflict 1881-1973.  
    
3. Independence, Aspirations and Possibilities: 
   Arab Nationalism, the Cold War and a Third Way 1945-1989.  
    
4. Interventions and the seeds of chaos: 
   American unipolarity, fresh penetrations, and new battle lines drawn, 2003-2010.   
    
5. Uprisings, Upheaval and Uncertainty: 
   Uprisings, the emergence of new blocs and continuing wars 2010-2024 and beyond. 

Learning outcomes 

You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course.  

The learning outcomes for this course are:  

• knowledge and understanding of the key events, developments and individuals in the period  
   
• deepened understanding of the issues relevant to the period, reached through reading and debate and discussion in class 
   
• construction of reasoned and supported argument in response to questions, based on close and critical reading of the historical literature 

Required reading 

Robins, Philip, The Middle East: A Beginner’s Guide (One World 2016) 

Rogan, Eugene, The Fall of the Ottomans (Allen Lane 2015) 

Typical week: Monday to Friday 

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.   

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to your learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events. 

Evaluation and Academic Credit  

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.  

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay. 

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit. 

Certificate of attendance 

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.