Abstract
This paper explores US policy in the Middle East over the last half-century. Several factors that have influenced American diplomatic policy in the region are considered, including the threat of communism and the US reliance on oil. Special consideration is given to the end of the Cold War and its impact on US policy toward Israel and the Arab nations. The paper cites the delicate diplomacy the United States must employ in the region, between appeasing the oil-rich Saudi kingdom, rooting out international terrorism, and maintaining ties with Israel, a democratic ally.

From the Paper
"The Soviet Union's dissolution caused a seismic change in the world geopolitical scene, as it spelled the decline of the bipolar balance of power in the world. However, although it called into question a number of the polices of the United States, it could be argued that the collapse of the Soviet Union, ideologically, had less of an impact upon the Middle East than the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Communism had never been a formidable force in the Middle East, unlike Latin America. But it is true that in practical terms of foreign aid, the coming to prominence of fundamentalist regimes in the Middle East in Iran was partially enabled by the decline of Soviet influence, cash and power backing up some regimes, as in Afghanistan. Renegade groups and states in their wrangling for power in the region often used old Soviet weapons, now traded on the black market."

Tags:Middle, East, foreign, policy, oil, Arabs, Israel, terrorism

Abstract
This paper describes the growing demand for frozen dairy products in the Middle East, focusing on the United Arab Emirates and their taste for ice cream. First, the paper presents statistics about the growing market for frozen treats in the UAE. In particular, it notes the popularity of take-home containers versus impulse buy frozen ice cream treats. The paper also addresses how across the Middle East, flavor and brand preferences are growing more diverse, showing an emerging Western-style attitude towards eating ice cream. Various reasons are suggested for the increasing popularity of ice cream. These include abundance of domestically produced milk in wealthy, oil-rich nations, the hot climate and the desire for luxury Western 'cold' items Additionally, the paper discusses how foreign ice cream producers have made considerable inroads in the UAE,such as Baskin Robbins. The paper concludes by summarizing market trends involving ice cream in the UAE, further noting the current demand for foreign goods and the volatility of tastes in the UAE suggests that moving now might be a good way to establish brand loyalty amongst a population whose tastes are in flux.

From the Paper
"Across the Middle East, flavor and brand preferences are growing more diverse, suggesting an emerging Western-style attitude towards eating ice cream. In the UAE in particular: "consumers...prefer a wider choice of brands," and the relative novelty of Western sweets tends to mean less brand loyalty (Sweet trends, 2009, AME). This can create new opportunities for marketers, but can also mean a volatile and unstable base of demand. The UAE's appetite for Western goods is often fickle, and its taste in foodstuffs is no exception, contrary to neighboring nations which have tended to focus on fewer basic flavors, such as vanilla and chocolate.
"One reason for the popularity of ice cream is an abundance of domestically produced milk in wealthy, oil-rich nations (Field 2006). After the oil boom of the 1970s, many Middle Eastern countries invested heavily in agriculture."

Tags:brand preferences, dairy market, Middle East, Baskin Robbins, impulse buy item

Abstract
A paper concerning the topic of the conflict in the Middle East and U.S. interests. The paper claims that the United States is interested because of national security, oil and Israel.

Tags:interest, middle, east

Abstract
Over the last hundred years, the Middle East has been one of the most troubled regions in the world. This paper attempts to define the attributes for success in the modern world that the Arab community lacks such as freedom, knowledge and woman power and how these impact the current political situation.

Outline
Islam Causes Conflict in the Middle East
Islam Does Not Cause Conflict in the Middle East
The Arab-Israeli Dispute Causes Conflict in the Middle East
Israeli Leadership Contributes to Conflict in the Middle East
Palestinian Leadership Contributes to Conflict in the Middle East
Lack of Democracy Contributes to Conflict in the Middle East
Oil Profits Cause Conflict in the Middle East
Water Scarcity Could Cause Conflict in the Middle East

From the Paper
"Sharon has spent years trying to erase the stain of the Lebanon War. Still, the legal defeat would seem to be the least of his troubles. After he won the premiership by promising to bring peace and security to Israel's citizens, Sharon has produced neither. The conflict with the Palestinians continues to escalate. The day of the court ruling, four Israelis died in Palestinian attacks; the following day, six soldiers died in a strike against an army roadblock. Sharon responded with a rare speech to the nation--in which he disappointed all expectations that he would announce a new policy direction. Among voters, confidence that he has a strategy is bleeding away. In one Israeli public-opinion poll, 29 percent of respondents said that Sharon had a clear plan, while 58 percent said he was simply reacting to events."

Tags:israel, palestine, arab, islam, syria, lebanon, gaza, arafat, oil, water

Abstract
This paper explains that the confusing relationship of the U.S. dollar value on the markets of developing countries is compounded by the interpersonal, micro-economic business climate and culture of the Middle East countries. Next, the author presents an extensive analysis of the principles of exchange rate movements, the optimization of currency and the exchange rate policies of emerging market economies. The paper underscores the economic situation in the Middle East especially the influence of oil revenues. The paper includes several tables, figures and formulas.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Statement of the Problem
Introduction
Developing a Twenty-First-Century Middle Eastern Financial Services Agenda
Think Global
Act Regional
Look Local
The Opportunity for Middle Eastern Competition
Exchange Rate Regime Choice: The Debate
The Case for Hard Currency Strategies for Emerging Market Economies
A Fixed Peg as Anchor for Monetary Policy
Literature Review
Real Exchange Rate Movements: An Interpretation
The Relevance of the Optimum Currency Area Approach for Exchange Rate Policies in Emerging Market Economies
Purpose and Aim of the Study
Research Objectives
Asset Management
The Required Magnitude of Dollar Depreciation
Will There be a Dollar Crisis?
Research Methodology
Distribution among Offshore Centers as in 2006
The Challenges of Globalization
Strategic Rents: Foreign Aid and Arms Transfers
Oil Revenues
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The initial setting of the exchange rate is, however, an extremely difficult task. It appears that in Poland and the former Czechoslovakia policymakers did err as far as devaluation was concerned: the initial undervaluation of the exchange rate was more than was warranted by the (expected) jump in the price level due to the liberalization of prices and the sharp curtailment of subsidies. It is my judgment that in no case was the initial error so large that the peg had to be abandoned on this account later on. Provided that the initial mistake in setting the exchange rate is not "too large", one can expect that, over time, the domestic economy will adjust."

Tags:reinvention, adjustment mechanism, halal seignorage oil

Abstract
This paper examines the importance of developing the infrastructure in the Middle East, focusing on US interests on boosting Egypt in particular. The paper begins by describing the current economic situation in many Middle Eastern nations, noting the paradoxes that exist between being resource rich yet impoverished on many levels. Next, it analyzes the rationale behind the United States' interests in seeing developments in the Middle East, both on an altruistic level and economic level. The paper then discusses Egypt and how its development would benefit the US. Various aspects of developing Egypt are cited, such as economic reform, investments in communications and third, investments in physical infrastructure. In particular, the paper notes the role of the Nile in giving Egypt the potential to develop. The paper concludes by describing Hands Along the Nile Development Services, which has already managed to improve the quality of social services as well as other issues, all to lead to improved living conditions.

Outline:

Introduction
Importance of Development to the United States
Emphasis on Egypt
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Saudi Arabia for instance exports mainly petroleum and petroleum based products, which constitute an estimated 90 percent of all of their trade commodities. The U.S. represents their largest export partner, with the largest share of 17.1 percent petroleum going to the North American country. While the palette of exported products is vaster for Pakistan and includes primarily textiles, rice, leather, chemicals and manufactured items, the situation is similar in the meaning that the largest portion of their products (18 percent) goes to the United States, which is their largest export partner. It could also be argued that the United States is interested in seeing developments in the Middle East as the region represents a destination for the American products. While this is true and the American manufacturers do export some of their commodities to the Oriental market, the actual percentage to U.S. revenues is reduced. The Pakistani markets for instance only import 5 percent of all their sold goods from the United States (Central Intelligence Agency, 2009). Consequently then, it can be concluded that the main economic interest is that of developing the region that offers access to cost effective and abundant natural resources."

Tags:Hands along the Nile Development Corps, Orient, infrastructure, natural resources, oil

Abstract
This paper examines the quagmire of Middle East politics and how the U.S. has conducted its foreign policy in that region of the world. The paper discusses whether U.S. objectives and its foreign policy in the Middle East are morally justifiable and concludes that they are because the goal of the U.S. is primarily one of helping people of the third world countries, while at the same time protecting her own interests.

From the Paper
"As far as the scourge of terrorism is concerned, it is a sad but true fact that no leader has managed to succeed in getting to the very root of the problem and thereby finding an appropriate solution to it. There may be a satisfactory explanation for this fact; it may be that the very nature of terrorism being what it is: quite unpredictable and also very asymmetrical, it is virtually impossible to find an adequate solution to the problem, and the underlying issues are so many and so widespread that it is an unattainable goal to hope to find an ideal solution to combat 'terrorism'. In fact, it can be safely stated that the West has actually and virtually outstayed its welcome in most parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, rich in oil as it is, and the leaders in those parts of the world, fuelled by their innate greed, grew from being mere allies of the West to real and true despots, and this because of the one thing that all the world needs: Oil. In fact, Osama bin Laden, as well as Saddam Hussein were allies of the USA in both the US war against Afghanistan as well as in the US war against Iraq respectively. (Going Tactical)"

Tags:moderates, oil, flowing, usa, military, strikes, iraq, kuwait, saddam, husseing, leader

Abstract
This paper describes an ongoing series of protests, days of rage, civil unrest and, in some situations, armed conflict in the Middle East, known as the Arab Spring, which have been used to incite various reforms and political changes. Specifically, the paper traces, with great detail, the Arab Spring from the December 2010 Tunisian protests that led to the overthrow of the Tunisian government, to the Egyptian revolution of 2011 that defeated the Mubarak regime, to the attempt to conquer Libyan Colonel Qaddafi that has developed into a civil war. The paper contends that the Arab Spring is not a protest against a particular regime or individual but instead a protest against the lack of rights and freedoms for people in these countries.

From the Paper
"As the Mubarak era of Egypt, drew to a close protesters across Egypt organized themselves and called for a number of reforms to be implemented across the country. These reforms are aimed to counteract the human rights abuses, political freedoms, censorship, and other limitations imposed over the course of Hosni Mubarak's 30 year rule. Before the resignation of President Mubarak, the protesters organized once again in Tahrir Square to agree on a list of demands highlighting the changes they desire. The demands listed are in some instances are very well thought out; others are highly unreasonable, given the current situation in Egypt."

Tags:authoritarian, social networking, oil sacrifices outcomes

Abstract
This analysis provides a discussion of a number of religious, cultural, and political factors among Arab nations in the Middle East that create a challenge to the adoption of democratic institutions and liberal reforms in those nations. Included are examples of capitalism, Islam, colonialism, authoritarian regimes, and other factors that continue to thwart the spread of genuine democracy in the region.

From the Paper
"Samuel P. Huntington maintains that a trend toward democratic systems of government pervaded the world's nations. This global democratic revolution is probably the most important political trend in the late twentieth century. It is the third wave of democratization in the modern era. From religion and oil to culture and Arab rulers, there are numerous religious and cultural challenges to establishing pluralistic democracy in the Middle East that isc ompatible with Islam. While some nations of the Middle East have..."

Tags:Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Hussein, President Bush, U.S. policy, Koran, women, liberalization, oil, Marxism, working class, will, freedom, history

Abstract
This paper claims that it was not until the discovery that the Middle East was rich with oil reserves that the countries of the United States, England, France and the Soviet Union became significantly involved in the region. It explains that it was with this discovery, however, that foreign policies were no longer about mere relations with countries, as much as they were about protecting oil interests in countries that brought them riches. It contends that when oil became the most prominent factor for these nations their loyalties to one another were tested, their goals were altered and tensions with the Middle East became inevitable.

From the Paper
"It was not until the discovery that the Middle East was rich with oil reserves that the countries of the United States, England, France, and the Soviet Union became significantly involved in the region. It was with this discovery, however, that foreign policies were no longer about mere relations with countries, as much as they were about protecting oil interests in countries that brought them riches. When oil became the most prominent factor for these nations their loyalties to one another were tested, their goals were altered, and tensions with the Middle East became inevitable. United States foreign policy in the Middle East became significant in the 1920s due to the interest in oil that was promising in the region. Standard Oil and Texaco, two American oil companies, won bids to begin the exploration for oil in Saudi Arabia in the early 1930s, finally ..."

Tags:american, foreign, policy