S1218 The Boundaries of the Middle East: Past, Present and Future* (S1218)

International boundaries were described as "The razors edge on which hang suspended the modern issue of war and peace, or life or death to nations". It is true for the whole world, more to the Middle East. This piece of the Globe, not a big one (only about 7 million sq. km.), is in the focus of the world in the last 60 years. It is the last area that got its international boundaries, which are not yet recognized by the people who live there. Israel boundaries were never delimitated, the boundaries between Syria and Turkey are problematic one, The Kurdish nation is divided between four different countries (Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey) as an outcome of boundaries delimitation, The Gulf states were the last countries ever got an international boundaries, marked in the middle of a desert. Iraq and Iran still have problems along their boundaries, most of the great rivers of that area are crossing from one country to another, causing problem in that dry area etc.

The course will deals with the way the boundaries of the area as a whole and each of the international boundaries of it independent countries were delimitated, what are the problems those boundaries makes and how they influence the political struggle about the Middle East.

The course is based on lectures, discussions, and presentation of a particular boundary by the students which will give them 20% of the final grade. A final examination will give 80% of the final grade.