As one of the world’s most volatile areas, the Middle East receives disproportionate media coverage. But this coverage almost invariably presents the events of the day without providing the context needed to understand the implications and meaning of those events. The 18 articles in this volume, which originally appeared in Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs , in 1990 and 1991, provide insight into the context of Middle Eastern events. Arab politics, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Persian Gulf, and US policy are examined in detail. The main themes covered are security issues such as wars, terrorism and hostage-taking, and attitudes, including public opinion in Lebanon and the US, and Israeli security issues.