The Middle East: Questions for U.S. Policy

Part I introduces the political history of the Middle East prior to U.S. involvement as well as the history of U.S. policy in the region through World War II. There are two lessons aligned with Part I: 1) The Geography of the Middle East, and 2) Precolonial Poetry of the Middle East.

Parts II examines major events in the Middle East that shaped the region’s relationship with the United States during and after the Cold War. There are two lessons aligned with Part II: 1) Primary Source Analysis: The Creation of Israel, and 2) Primary Source Analysis: Iran—Oil Nationalization and the 1953 Coup.

Part III examines major events in the Middle East that shaped the region’s relationship with the United States from beginning of the twenty-first century through the present, including September 11, 2001, the global War on Terror, and the Arab Spring uprisings. There is one lesson aligned with Part III: Graffiti and Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution.

Part IV includes six case studies that examine the factors that have influenced U.S. policy. The case studies are selective. Choices also offers full curriculum units on Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey that may be of interest. There are two lessons aligned with Part IV: 1) Analyzing the Six Case Studies, and 2) Syrian Refugees: Understanding Stories with Comics.

Students familiarize themselves with the Middle East, its significant cities, and its landmarks on a map. They then work together to explore images of the region and identify issues and themes for inquiry.

Students analyze poetry written by women in pre-Islamic and early Islamic societies and consider the benefits and limitations of poetry as a source for historical learning.

Students use primary source documents to identify different views on the creation of Israel.

Students use primary source documents to identify the motivations and interests of the Iranian and U.S. governments in regard to oil nationalization in Iran and the coup of 1953.

Students compare and contrast the Arab Spring protests in different countries and then assess the role of graffiti and social media posts as forms of political expression in Egypt.

Working together, students compare and contrast the history of U.S. policy in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Syria, and Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Students read stories of Syrian refugees to learn more about the ongoing civil war and consider how the experiences of individuals can inform understanding of a larger political context.

The Options Role Play is the key lesson in the unit, and it asks students to examine four distinct options for U.S. policy toward the Middle East in preparation for writing their own option.

Synthesis Lesson: Armed with historical knowledge and a sense of their own values, students deliberate the options presented. They articulate their recommendations for U.S. policy and apply their policy guidelines to specific cases in the Middle East.