The Middle East and You

  • Published
  • By By Dr. Julie Ballaro
  • 96th Mission Support Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --   Muslims have a saying, "Insha Allah!" (usually translated "If God wills" or "God wills it."). 

This concept on how Muslims view life derives from Islam, the primary religion of the Middle East, and is fundamentally different from how most westerners view life. 

"If you have been to the Middle East or may be sent to this region," Dr. Robert Kane, the instructor for the two Middle Eastern history courses, offered at Eglin by Saint Leo's University stated, "understanding the history, government, religion, and culture this region of the world will help you win the 'hearts and minds' of the people of this vital region and make your assignment that much more meaningful." 

So how much do you really know about the Middle East, besides the continuing conflict between the Arabs and the Israelis and suicide bombers? What do really know about Islam and its relationship to Middle Eastern government and culture? 

"In other words," Dr. Kane continued, "what do really know about the Middle East other than the thirty-second news bursts that you may get from television news programs?" 

As you ask yourself these questions, think about how better prepared you would be for your next assignment to the Middle East if you had more in-depth knowledge about the people, their customs, their history, and the conflicts of this region . The 96 MSS Training Center has a program to help you prepare for a Middle East assignment. 

The 96 MSS Training Center, in partnership with Saint Leo University, offers you a certificate program in Middle East Studies that could lead to an undergraduate degree. The certificate program includes courses on Middle Eastern history, politics and economics, religion, and culture. 

This coming spring semester, starting on Jan. 5,  the Training Center and Saint Leo's University 2009 is offering History 233, The Modern Middle East. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in Bldg 871. To register for this course and to learn more about the Middle East Studies' program, stop by Bldg 871 on December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Education Center will also provide information about the Air Force tuition assistance and Florida's educational grant programs at this time. 

Here is a sneak preview of the next Middle East course offered at Eglin AFB, History 233, The Modern Middle East. This course will take you from the 600s to the present with emphasis on the origin and significance of Islam, the rise and fall of the Arab empires, the rise and fall of the Turkish empires, the impact of both world wars, the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the importance of religion, political Islam and terrorism in the contemporary Middle East. 

Join Dr Kane as you embark on a Middle Eastern journey and learn about Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East countries prior to your next deployment. Your knowledge and lessons learned from these courses will provide you with an education that will unlock the door to the "unknown." You will arrive in Middle East better prepared to understand the people of this region and to feel more confident during your stay in these foreign lands.