This course offers an examination of Middle Eastern history and politics, with a focus on the Ottoman Empire, the rise of the Turkish Republic, and the region’s evolving dynamics in the 21st century. The course examines Turkey’s complex relations with its neighbors, including Greece, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, as well as its role in broader Middle Eastern affairs. Attention will be given to the Arab Spring’s impact on the region and Turkey’s strategic responses to geopolitical challenges.