Across the Middle East, political movements have rejected the very foundations of the modern state system. Arab nationalist movements have worked to erase existing borders, while religious movements have challenged the legitimacy of secular states, sometimes in violent ways. Israel has faced equally profound challenges to its identity, with political struggles over its borders, its religious and national character, and its relationship to the Jews outside of Israel. Directly comparing Israel and the Arab states of the Fertile Crescent, the course examines the domestic and international consequences of contested borders, disputed identities, and challenged legitimacy. How do these struggles affect the stability and development of the states of the Middle East? Can religious movements be incorporated peacefully into their political systems? What are the prospects for democracy and civil society? Requirements: a research paper, a couple of response papers, and an exam. No prerequisites. Open to first-year students with Advanced Placement credit in Comparative Politics. Comparative Politics Subfield