Other
Middle East Institute: Middle Eastern Economies
Economic trends will provide a very important part of the context in which President Obama's policies play out in the remainder of his term until January 2017. The Middle East's economic recovery from the 2008-2010 global economic crisis...
PBS
Pbs: The Role of Natural Resources in Middle Eastern Politics and the Economy
Read about the importance of several natural resources to the economy and political influences in the Middle East.
PBS
Pbs: Over a Barrel
This site focuses on the importance of the concentration of oil in the Middle East to world politics. Read the backgrounder by Charles Krause before reading this transcript of Online Newshour.
Other
Saudi Arabian Market Explorer: Oil
This site gives a historical background and current information on oil in the Middle East. Read about the discovery and development of oil, Saudi Aramco, OPEC, and OAPEC.
Other
New York Times: Opec Finds Politics and Oil Mix
This site has a 1999 New York Times article about world oil prices, OPEC, and the role of politics in the Middle East. While much of the article focuses on recent events, background information is also given.
The Economist
The Economist: Sudan: The Oil Factor
A 2007 analysis of the challenges faced by Sudan in developing its key industry, oil.
BBC
Bbc: News: Country Profile: Kuwait
BBC News provides a general overview of the tiny Middle Eastern country of Kuwait, known for its oil production. Focus is on history, country facts, political leaders, and news media. Offers links to a timeline of key events, recent news...
BBC
Bbc: News: Country Profile: Qatar
BBC News features a general overview of the oil rich Gulf State of Qatar. Focus is on history, country facts, political leaders, and news media. Provides links to a timeline of key events, recent news articles, and related internet...
Other
Us Army War College: Where Oil and Water Do Mix
Read about the environmental scarcity linked to domestic political unrest and the crisis of domestic political legitimacy that could result in conflict. Also find out how these crises of domestic political legitimacy may result in both...
Other
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: Energy Policy
Imagine if gas stations were closed on weekends and you could only buy gas on even or odd days depending on your license plate number. This was the crisis the country faced in 1973 due to an oil crisis in the Middle East. Understand...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: The Impact of Egypt's Political Revolution
Lesson plan provides a summary of the impact of the Egyptian revolution of 2011 on other countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Cartoons are provided that comment on the emergence of democracy and the importance of oil and...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Ibibio
The name "Ibibio" identifies the largest subdivision of people living in southeastern Nigeria, in Akwa Ibom State, and it is generally accepted and used for both ethnic and linguistic descriptions. Like their Igbo neighbors, the Ibibio...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Mende
The Mende are a group of people who live primarily within the southern third of Sierra Leone. They live primarily in villages of 70 to 250 residents. There is little or no mechanization; farmers use hoes and machetes, but few other...
BBC
Bbc News: Country Profile: Azerbaijan
A country profile on Azerbaijan, a republic located in the Caucasus region. The article gives information on the recent history, the government and leadership and the news media. (December 2011)
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History:the Cold War Continues
A comprehensive look at U.S. foreign policy during the Eisenhower administration. The Cold War was at its height, and the United States used many tactics to fight and contain the spread of Communism. Be sure to watch the cartoon of Bert...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Akan
The Akan comprise a cluster of peoples living in southern and central Ghana and in southeastern Ivory Coast. They form a series of distinct kingdoms and share a common language, known as Twi, which has many dialects. Twi is a tonal...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Mangbetu
The Mangbetu live in the northeastern corner of Zaire. They are the founders of one of the few centralized political systems in Central Africa. The Mangbetu achieved a very high level of technological and material development, as...
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Saudi Arabia Flag
The national flag of Saudi Arabia, an oil rich country in the Middle East.