Is There a Middle East? The Evolution of a Geopolitical Concept

"Its interdisciplinarity and the mixture of established and emerging scholars are [a] significant strength, ensuring that both specialist and student readers are likely to find something new."-Joanna Long, Social & Cultural Geography "This well-edited work focuses on geographically prescribed definitions of one of the most heavily contested and tumultuous parts of the world . . . [and clarifies] the definition of the region by insiders and outsiders . . . Recommended."-D. J. Timothy, CHOICE "The chapters comprising the volume reconfirm the indeterminacy and historical evolution of the Middle East as a geographical concept."-Joel Beinin, Journal of Islamic Studies "Given how much debate surrounds the expression 'the Middle East,' it is all the more surprising that there has not been a single volume to address the range of questions raised by this vague and unhelpful term until now. Is There a Middle East? does an excellent job filling in this gap. There is nothing comparable."-Eugene Rogan, St Antony's College, Oxford, author of The Arabs "The term 'the Middle East' has evoked anxieties and questions for over a century. This original volume illustrates that it is ultimately more fruitful to consider the effects of this unwieldy and profoundly political category than to debate its definition. A far-reaching book that presents new arguments on the production of the concept and the meanings associated with the Middle East. It is a useful and reflective introduction to the field of 'Middle East Studies."-Arang Keshavarzian, New York University