Since the end of WWII, the United States has been repeatedly involved in Middle Eastern affairs. This course examines US interests and intrigues in the region, moving chronologically from 1945 to the present. Issues covered include the Cold War in the Middle East arena; oil politics; US as Arab-Israeli peacemaker; US military intervention in the Middle East; US and Islamic fundamentalism; Middle Eastern terrorism; and case studies concerning US relations with key Middle Eastern countries.