The Arab World After Desert Storm
A survey of recent developments in six Arab states: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia this book touches on many of the issues of concern throughout the Middle East. The author reviews social and economic problems, ponders the prospects for democracy, notes the decline of pan-Arabism and the fragmentation of the Arab system, and concludes with some thoughts on the peace process. The discussion is reasonable and balanced, but rather thin. Still, for an introduction to the contemporary Arab world, this is a good place to begin.

Sign-up for free weekly updates from ForeignAffairs.com.