Contemporary Issues
Building a Modern Middle East
Name:
Date:
Directions: After reading about the creation of the modern Middle East, I want to
research further into the origins of each country and their current political situation.
Answer the questions below. You may work with ONE other person.
Note: You will still have a reading quiz on Wednesday.
Countries- Choose one of the following countries (you can only choose a country if you
last name starts with one of the following letters. A group gets two choices): Jordan (AD), Syria (E-H), Lebanon (I-L), Egypt (M-P), Saudi Arabia (Q-S), Iraq (T-V) Iran (W-Z),
Pakistan (A-D), Yemen (E-H), or Libya (I-L)
1. Date of Nationhood (if there was a colonial/imperialist power who helped to found it)
2. When did the country win full independence?
3. What are the main ethnic groups that live in this nation? What was the ethnic group
that ruled at its founding and today?
- What are some of the key characteristics of this group? (What makes it an ethnic
group?)
- What is the religion of those groups? If Muslim, which sect to they practice?
- What percentage of the population of each ethnic group? (CIA factbook may have
it)
4. What type of government is currently in charge?
- If there is a party in control, what is it and their key platforms?
5. What are this country’s main economic resources?
6. Name two to three different ways or events in which America has played a role in this
country.