Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Maronites
The Maronites are an ancient East Christian sect; the Maronite church was the first Syrian church to join Rome, and thus it became the first Uniate of the East. Maronites today number about 1,300,000. Half a million of them reside in...
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for Intl Peace: Reform in Syria [Pdf]
A good article discussing the attempts to introduce democratic reforms into the Syrian government and society. (July, 2006)
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Introduction to the Middle East
The term "Middle East" is generally recognized today to refer to a region that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Afghanistan in the east. It encompasses the countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel,...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: A Syrian Refugee's Story
In this short film, Welcome to Canada, learn about a Syrian refugee's story, Mohammed Alsaleh, who fled violence and imprisonment by the Assad regime during Syria's Civil War. Mohammed was granted asylum and now lives in Canada where he...
CNN
Cnn: Hezbollah Rallies Lebanese to Support Syria
An article which describes the activities of Hezbollah in March of 2005. A Hezbollah-organized rally showed support for Syria and a rejection of a UN resolution that called for immediate withdrawal of Syrian troops.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen
Most of these groups are now sedentary or semi-sedentary, and only a few are still nomadic. There is no overall system of political organization within any of these communities, but cohesion within each community is strong. In Egypt,...
Curated OER
France in Lebanon and Syria
A discussion of the French mandate to rule part of the newly divided Arab land and how it divided it into Syria and newly created Lebanon.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Druze
The Druze are a closed, tightly knit, Arab minority who live in southern Syria, in the mountains of central Lebanon, and in Israel, including the Golan Heights. There are also small communities in Jordan, the United States, Canada, and...
Curated OER
A Syrian Soldier in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon
A recent biography of the president of Syria. He came to power in 2000 with the death of his father.
World Atlas
World Atlas: Syrian Arab Republic
Features a description and history of the Syrian Arab Republic with links to information on its geography, symbols, flags, and more.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Druze
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Druze people in the Middle East. Gives basic facts about location, language, folklore, foods, social customs, family life, education, religion, pastimes, societal...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Interview With Secretary of State Rice
An interview conducted by Jim Lehrer. Topics included "Syria's presence in Lebanon, diplomatic efforts to end Iran's nuclear aspirations, the U.S. relationship with Europe, and her first months as America's top diplomat."
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Jews of Israel
The state of Israel came into formal existence on 14 May 1948. The United States recognized the new state on the same day, and the Soviet Union followed on 18 May. On 15 May 1948 the new state was invaded by the armies of Egypt, Iraq,...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Arabs
The Arab world is usually considered to be comprised of the following nineteen countries: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Chad, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi...