Typical questions

• • Where can I get articles on the Arab Spring?

• • I need data on the use of migrant labour in Saudi Arabia.

Starting points

• • This section focuses on resources for area studies of the Middle East. It concentrates on European language resources. For references to Arabic materials, consult the libraries listed as all have language specialists. The resources in this chapter should be supplemented with those in the appropriate subject chapters. The Country Information section also contains basic economic, social and political facts about individual nations of the Middle East. Other relevant chapters are: Anthropology, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations and International Security.

• • Many students requesting information on the Middle East may also be specifically interested in the influence of Islam. For further references to this, consult the Religious Studies and Theology chapter.

Recommended resources

Key organisations – scholarly

BRISMES

www.brismes.ac.uk

The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies was established in 1973. Its website has details on its scholarly publications, including the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies. It also has links to other UK-based Middle East organisations.

Middle East Studies Association (MESA)

mesana.org

Non-profit US-based society that acts as an umbrella organisation for affiliated partners. Its website is a good place for locating news about events, publications and research trends.

Key organisations – international

Arab League

www.lasportal.org

The informal name of the League of Arab States, a regional organisation of Arab States in and around North Africa that was founded in 1945 and seeks to promote co-operation. Its website provides information in Arabic about its aims and social, political and economic programmes.

Arab Monetary Fund

www.amf.org.ae

Works to promote economic and financial stability and growth in the region. Website provides free access to news, policy documents and a database of recent economic, financial and trade statistics.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

www.unescwa.org

Currently comprises 18 Arab States. The website provides detailed information on regional UN programmes with the emphasis upon social and economic development issues. Website includes full text data and reports.

Libraries

Columbia University Library

library.columbia.edu/locations/global/mideast.html

Extensive Middle Eastern and Islamic collections. Maintains the excellent Middle East Studies guide (library.columbia.edu/locations/global/virtual-libraries/ middle_east_studies.html) – a detailed annotated list to recommended internet resources for scholars. Includes major bibliographic, news services and scholarly organisations.