Problems facing the Middle East seem insurmountable. Centuries of conflict, economic and political colonization and religious tensions are just some of the problems these nations face. In this activity, students will simulate a regional forum where representatives from Middle Eastern nations will try to solve their own and the region's problems.

• Students will devise solutions to the problems their nation and the region face.
• Students will present proposals and advocate for the best interest of their nation.
• Students will gain an appreciation of complexities of international relations in Middle East.

1. Each student in the class will be assigned one of the following countries:
   Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates
2. Students will conduct extensive research and prepare proposals.
3. Students will engage in a simulation of a gathering of representatives from these Middle Eastern nations. The teacher may play the role of Iraq in this simulation or you may assign the country to one of your students.
4. Each proposal will be debated and voted upon.

Time Allocation: Time out of class for preparation; 6-8 class periods for simulation.

Variation on this Activity:

• Students may work in pairs or in small groups

Special Resources for this Activity

• Use Map of Iraq's Colonial Past (Figure 2D) from Maps In The News: Iraq
• For information about countries, begin with
  • Arab News: www.arab.net
  • BBC News:World: Country Profiles
  • Country Report
        Note: This site requires a username/password; most schools should have an account
  • Information Please
  • Library of Congress
  • The World Factbook

Assessment criteria

• Did student convey an understanding of the problems and possible solutions his or her country faces?
• Did project reflect complexity for forces that have shaped the nation's current conditions?
• Did student accurately portray nation's relation to Iraq?

You will be learning about one of the Middle Eastern countries in great depth. Central to this project is understanding what will best serve the needs of your nation.

1. You will be assigned a country to study.
2. You will do background research and prepare four proposals for the regional gathering, Middle East Forum. Each proposal must reflect the concerns of your nation and suggest a way to improve conditions for your people. These proposals should focus on what other members of the Middle East Forum could do to either provide aid to or gain assistance from your nation. One proposal should concern economic matters, the second political matters, and the third social matters. The fourth proposal should be focused on improving relations within the Middle East.
3. The proposals should be written down and include sufficient background material to explain your nation's position to others in the Forum.
4. You will represent your nation and behave in the manner of its current leadership. All votes must be consistent with the political and economic realities of your nation.
5. You will be responsible for handing in your voting record at the end of the simulation.

To help begin your research, you may want to consult one of these websites:

• Arab News: www.arab.net
• BBC News:World: Country Profiles
• Country Report
      Note: This site requires a username/password; most schools should have an account
• Information Please
• Library of Congress
• The World Factbook