This volume is designed to place in context the passionate controversies and emotional attachments of the two billion people who live, study, work, love, and die in the Middle East and South Asia.

The Arab spring : birth of a new era? -- When will the taps go dry? -- Black gold : the impact of oil -- Historical background -- Nations of the Middle East: Bahrain ; Egypt ; Iran ; Iraq ; Israel ; Jordan ; Kuwait ; Lebanon ; Oman ; Palestine ; Qatar ; Saudi Arabia ; Syria ; Turkey ; United Arab Emirates ; Yemen ; Map 1910 ; Map today -- Nations of South Asia: Afghanistan ; Bangladesh ; Bhutan ; India ; Maldives ; Nepal ; Pakistan ; Sri Lanka ; Dependency of Britain ; Occupied Territories ; Disputed Territories: British Indian Ocean Territory, Quneitra District/"Golan Heights", East Jerusalem, Kashmir ; Regional Organizations: Gulf Cooperation Council, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, League of Arab States.