December 19, 2025

10 books to expand your knowledge of the Middle East - 2025 edition

Recommended readings selected by MEI’s book review editor from reviews published in this year’s issues of The Middle East Journal. Subscribe to MEJ to read full reviews of these and other new publications exploring the history, culture, and contemporary issues shaping the modern Middle East and North Africa region.

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May 12, 2020
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - MAY 05: Taxies and vehicles are seen after vehicles with odd and even numbered plates were allowed to hit the road by the Iraqi General Directorate of Traffic as part of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic measures in Baghdad, Iraq on May 05, 2020. Vehicles with odd-numbered plates were allowed to odd numbered days and even-numbered plates were allowed to even-numbered days. (Photo by Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Balancing relations with Washington and Tehran

May 12, 2020
President of Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani speaks during a press conference in Arbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region, on January 8, 2020. (Photo by SAFIN HAMED / AFP) (Photo by SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images)

The new Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Region

May 12, 2020
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - MAY 06: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY â MANDATORY CREDIT - "IRAQI PARLIAMENT/ HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Iraqi PM-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi who is at the parliament for vote of confidence in Baghdad, Iraq makes a speech on May 06, 2020. Only 15 out of 22 ministers from cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi receive vote of confidence from Iraqâs parliament. (Photo by Iraqi Parliament / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Ge

Baghdad will continue its outreach to its Arab neighbors