scholarly journals Studying Middle Eastern Societies: Imperatives and Modalities of Thinking Comparatively

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Asef Bayat

Current debates about the status of middle east studies are informed by an assumption that separates ‘area studies’ from ‘global studies,’ and ‘area specialization’ from disciplinary or theoretical orientation. Arguing against such separation, I propose that a resort to comparative perspectives may help bridge the divide. To this end, I discuss imperatives and modalities of thinking comparatively in the context of the Middle East, and their implications for bringing other areas into comparative inquiries. Focusing on illustrations from Middle East social studies, I attempt to think through my own, albeit limited, experience of comparative research within the Middle East region.

Author(s):  
Zikriya ◽  
Naushad Khan ◽  
Asif Salim

The development of International relations together with forces like globalization and technology has brought the world closer to each other. Friendly ties and relations with states create massive challenges during times of conflict. The focus of the paper is on the crisis evolving in the Middle East region and the role of Pakistan in solving those crisis considering relations with its closest allies, political and financial circumstances, and its foreign policy principles. A qualitative research approach with desk analysis technique has been applied to analyse the role of Pakistan as a mediator for the conflict resolution among Middle Eastern countries. The research highlights how the disputes created great problems for Pakistan but it is still striving to resolve conflicts among Middle Eastern countries because maintaining peace and prosperity in the Muslim world has always been a top priority of Pakistan’s foreign policy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Bozorg-Haddad ◽  
Babak Zolghadr-Asli ◽  
Parisa Sarzaeim ◽  
Mahyar Aboutalebi ◽  
Xuefeng Chu ◽  
...  

Abstract Water resources in the Middle East region are becoming scarce, while millions of people already do not have access to adequate water for drinking and sanitary purposes. Water resources depletion has become a significant problem in this region that is likely to worsen. Current research by remote sensing analysis indicates a descending trend of water storage in the Middle East region, where agriculture plays a crucial role in socio-economic life. This study introduces an approach quantifying water depletion in the Middle Eastern countries, which are being challenged in the management of their water resources. Furthermore, this paper presents results of a survey assessing the status of water use and supply in Middle Eastern countries and outlines some potential remedies. Specifically, Iran's water use is evaluated and compared with its neighbors'. The water equivalent anomaly (WEA) and total water storage (TWS) depletion are two indexes of water scarcity calculated for Middle Eastern countries surveyed herein. Our analysis reveals that Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran are countries with very negative water scarcity indexes. These estimates prove that international cooperation is needed to manage available regional water resources and reverse depletion of natural water sources. It is demonstrated herein that virtual water trade can help remediate regional water shortage in Middle Eastern countries.


It is in moments of great upheaval that societies may best be studied. Today, The North Africa and the Middle East region (MENA) finds itself in the most alarming state since World War I. The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Middle East and North African History is a timely intervention to interrogate the region’s internal dynamics and take stock of its place in world politics. It illuminates afresh dominant historical currents as well as counter-currents that previous accounts have not given their due attention or have failed to notice. Broadly chronological, this volume combines thematic and country-based, multi-disciplinary analysis in order to reconsider half a century of scholarship and to critically examine the defining processes and structures of historical developments from Morocco to Iran and from Turkey to Yemen over the past two centuries.


Author(s):  
Nasim Matar

This chapter discusses the status and quality of e-learning in Arab Universities located in the Middle East. The first objective of the study was to provide an analytical overview of the use of e-learning and the quality of electronic courses and learning objects in these universities to fill the gap in the literature in this particular topic regarding the Middle East region, and also to draw into different solutions and recommendations in order to make a successful match that could result in a better adoption and serving of the e-learning technology. The study was based on two different approaches that included a survey to navigate the official websites of universities in the region plus a survey into e-learning courses to obtain the current stand of e-learning quality in the region. The results of each approach have been analyzed, and the outcomes and recommendations were presented to be used for future adoption and other related studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-97
Author(s):  
Selma Elfirda Karamy ◽  
Arry Bainus

The high escalation of conflict that occurred in the Middle East region became a global issue which until now still has not found a solution. This situation is also complicated by the presence of US President Donald Trump's controversial immigration policy, which targets the Middle Eastern countries. Various efforts have been made by each country to reduce tension and maintain social and political stability in each country. In the midst of the many efforts made, emerging non-state actor that are trying to resolve conflicts, one of which is the Divan OrcThe high escalation of conflict that occurred in the Middle East region became a global issue which until now still has not found a solution. This situation is also complicated by the presence of US President Donald Trump's controversial immigration policy, which targets the Middle Eastern countries. Various efforts have been made by each country to reduce tension and maintain social and political stability in each country. In the midst of the many efforts made, emerging non-state actor that are trying to resolve conflicts, one of which is the Divan Orchestra, an international music organization that runs Music Diplomacy in the conflict countries. In this study, researchers will try to discuss The Divan Orchestra diplomatic roles as a representation of the message of peace from its members. The researcher will use the concepts of Music Diplomacy, Soft Power and Non-State Roles as Analysis Tools. While the research method used is a Qualitative Method using Literature Study. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1953-7663


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-69
Author(s):  
Immanuel Azaad Moonesar ◽  
Lionel Thibaud

Abstract Objective: This is a case study on how a French firm went from Localization to Glocalization from a cross-cultural communication and language perspective. Methodology: The method used was a case study approach. Lionel Thibaud, the General Manager, Impression et Enregistrement des Résultats (IER) (a French firm) based on the Middle East thought about achievements and challenges faced by the company within the Middle East region over the period of 2007–2013 in relation to various cross-cultural and multi-national issues. Findings: The problem faced by the decision-makers in this region was how to do business with the different Middle Eastern countries while handling and striking a balance with all varying cultures and customs. In addition, to meet the needs of the customers, a key strategic mission was to establish long-term relationships and collaborations with suppliers and customers. This ‘way of doing business’ was made all the more difficult as the Middle Eastern culture was perceived similar from the outside. Value Added: Culture in Middle East was a good way to create discussions and healthy debate to understand how to do business in the Middle East and gain a competitive advantage through the relationships that IER developed through trust from the customers. IER Middle East continued to strive successfully on how to do business within the Middle Eastern region in handling and striking a balance with all varying cultures and customs. In addition, to meet the needs of the customers, IER had a long-term mission to establish long-term relationships and collaborations within the Middle East region. Recommendations: IER Middle East was to continue being the preferred vendor of airlines and airports while providing innovative ideas and solution as well as to continue to offer outstanding customer support.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36
Author(s):  
Miyazi Kazuo

The Purpose of this Paper is to present the history and the present status of Middle Eastern and North African Studies in Japan. As the status of the studies is closely related to the status of the relationships between Japan and the regions concerned, I will first write about the history of Japan-Middle East (including North Africa) relations and the relationship thereof to the studies.


Author(s):  
Nasim Matar ◽  
Ziad Hunaiti ◽  
Shahid Halling ◽  
Šadi Matar

This chapter discusses the status and quality of e-learning in Arab Universities located in the Middle East. The first objective of the study was to provide an analytical overview of the use of e-learning and its quality in these universities located in the Middle East region. Another objective is to fill the gap in literature in this particular topic regarding the Middle East region. Also draw into different solutions and recommendations in order to make a successful match that will result in a better adoption and serving of the e-learning technology. The study was based on two different approaches that include a survey to navigate the official web sites of universities in the region plus a questionnaire to fetch for the current stand of e-learning quality in the region. The results of each approach have been analyzed, and the outcomes and recommendations have been presented which can be used for future adoption and other related studies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 802-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah N. Al-Dabbous ◽  
Prashant Kumar

Airborne nanoparticles have been studied worldwide, but little is known about their sources in the Middle East region, where hot, arid and dusty climatic conditions generally prevail.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwan Abdeldayem ◽  
Saeed Aldulaimi

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze crowdfunding (CF) as new entrepreneurial finance (EF) tool and to predict the success of CF projects in the Middle East region. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted in seven Middle Eastern countries (i.e. Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE) in addition to serval CF platforms that are commonly used by crowd funders in this region (such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe, Beehive and Zoomal) with total members (195,193). A pilot sample of 20 units was used to validate and verify the research instrument of the study. The research sample consists of 1,910 respondents from the seven countries included in the study. The study emphasizes the partners, micro-structures, administrative conditions and CF advancement in the Middle East. Findings The findings reveal that CF’s presence positively impacts fundraising success and that CF platforms are an effective financial technology (Fintech) tool for financing entrepreneurs in the Middle East. The study shows that the success of CF projects in the Middle East can be anticipated by estimating and breaking down enormous information of web-based and social media movement, human resources of funders and online venture introduction. The authors conclude with recommendations for future EF and CF research. Originality/value This study aims to analyze the CF and EF principles in the Middle East region as the CF experience and practice in this part of the world tend to be unexplored in terms of research. Presently a very few numbers published research on CF exists. Moreover, to the best of the knowledge, there is no single study investigating CF as an alternative financing source in the Middle East. In particular, the study.


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