PSC 218 - International Politics of the Middle East

Course Units: 1

The Middle East has witnessed intense competition among regional powers like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, further complicated by the ambitions of global actors such as the US, Russia, and China. This course examines these power struggles, focusing on security challenges, energy geopolitics, and the human cost of prolonged conflicts. Drawing on realist, constructivist, and Marxist perspectives, it explores the region’s strategic landscape, including US alliances, Russian energy policies, and Chinese economic initiatives, while analyzing shifting partnerships among states in the region.