This is Damascus and it is believed to be the oldest continuously occupied city in the world. It was once part of the Ottoman Empire but came under French control after WWI. It became an independent country in the 1940’s.

From the 1940’s until 2000, President Hafiz al-Assad dictated the people of Syria. He favored a strong military to match that of the Israeli Government’s and to protect his rule from political enemies from within the country.

Government Overview: Ostensibly a republic, in reality Syria is an authoritarian, military-dominated regime where opposition to the president is not tolerated, and, with the succession of the previous president’s son, concern about hereditary rule is plausible. Whereas the citizens may vote for the president and members of parliament, they cannot change the government; the president, for example, is not actually elected but, rather, confirmed by unopposed popular referenda. Parliament may assess and sometimes modify laws proposed by the executive branch, but it may not initiate laws. The president and his senior aides make most decisions in the political, economic, and security sectors, with a very limited degree of public accountability. The regime does not tolerate political opposition and justifies itself by maintaining a state of emergency that has been in effect since 1963 as a result of the state of war that continues to exist with Israel. A

With the constitution ceding primacy to the Arab Socialist Resurrection (Baath) Party, all three branches of government are dominated by its views. The party is both socialist (advocating state ownership of the means of industrial production and redistribution of agricultural land) and revolutionary (espousing the goal of carrying the socialist revolution to every part of the Arab world). However, since August 1990 the regime has de-emphasized the socialist aspect in favor of pursuing pan-Arab unity. The regime’s survival hinges on its strong desire for stability and its success in giving groups such as religious minorities and peasant farmers a stake in society. Perhaps more important, the expansion of government bureaucracy has created a large class of citizens loyal to the regime. The army and internal security apparatus, the units most responsible for enforcing the regime’s stability, are loyal, effective, and dominated by the Alawi sect, to which the Assad family belongs.

Following the death of Hafiz al Assad in 2000, his son Bashar was nominated and confirmed as president. Bashar al Assad is a reform-minded president, and although his reforms have been met with resistance from the old guard, the country appears to have the potential for some modification of its system of government. There reportedly have been calls to make the Baath Party less influential in government and speculation that the president might push to remove the article of the constitution granting the party primacy.

After his father’s death in 2000, Bashar al-Assad was “elected” president of the socialist government of Syria. He has worked to improve the countries economy by cutting military spending and putting the money into the countries infrastructure like power plants, rail roads and oil refineries.

• Three Major Ethnic groups: Arabs, • Kurds, and Armenians.

• Religion- Sunni Muslim (74%), • Alawite Muslim, Druze Muslim,(16%),

• Christian (10%), • Jews make up very small%

• Women often Discriminated against, • Lack many rights held by men

• and forced to wear Burquas • (veil and dress that covers entire body)

•

• Population: 17,585,540

• Capital City: Damascus

• Official Language: Arabic

• Government: republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime

• Chief of State: President Bashar al-Asad

• Chief Domestic exports: crude oil, petroleum, fruits, and vegetables.

Direct DemocracyGovernment in which all citizens have equal power in decision making.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

1. Every citizen has equal power in matters of government. Every citizen is involved in the decision making.

2. Since all citizens are involved in decision making, there is a broad base of support and loyalty.

3. Individual liberties are protected.

1. Only works when a small number of people are involved. Ability to gather all citizens in one place is necessary.

2. Decision making involving all citizens is time-consuming. All citizens give in-put, debate, etc...

Direct Democracy (True Democracy)

Government in which all citizens have equal power in decision making.

NO MIDDLE EAST NO MIDDLE EAST GOVERNMENT HAS GOVERNMENT HAS THIS TYPE OF THIS TYPE OF GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

LEBANO

N

The people of Lebanon are a diverse group of people. Once part of the Ottoman Empire and controlled by the French after WWI, Their culture and history have been mixed over time. This Arab country’s religious majority is Islam but is broken into Sunni, Shiite, and Druze. There is also a large Christian presence in this country. Arabic is the primary language but many people still speak French, a reminder of there presence and influence after the war.

Lebanese Food• Mezze- many small

dishes of food

•Kebbe-mutton pounded and served with crushed

wheat

MerchantsLebanon is famous for its merchants. Every type of

product and cuisine is available.

Religion and People•Ethnic groups: 95% Arab, 4%

Armenian and 1% other

•Religions: 70% Muslim, 30% Christian

•Family important part of Lebanese culture

•Phoenicians, inventors of alphabet, originated in LebanonArts

•Booming art industry with many big names

•Pop music is really popular

•Big theater and film making industry

•Total Land Area: 10,400 sq. km (.7x size of Connecticut)

•Population: 3,727,703 (July ’03)

•Capital: Beirut

•Government Type: Republic

•Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA

•Chief of State: President Michel SULAYMAN

•Chief Domestic Exports: foodstuffs, tobacco, and textiles

•Languages: Arabic (off.), French, English, Armenian

•Literacy Rate: 87.4%

Michel SULAYMAN was elected president by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 May 2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held in four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by group - Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering 15; Development and Resistance Bloc 15; Free Patriotic Movement 15; Loyalty to the Resistance 14; Qornet Shehwan 6; Lebanese Forces 5; Popular Bloc 4; Tripoli Independent Bloc 3; Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Syrian National Socialist Party 2; Tashnaq 2; Syrian Ba'th Party 1; Democratic Left 1; Democratic Renewal Movement 1; Kataeb Party 1; Nasserite Popular Movement 1; independent 4

Representative DemocracyGovernment in which people elect representatives who hold the

decision making power. REPUBLICADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

1. Citizens are involved in decision making through their representatives, lobbying, and voting.2. Representatives are aware their job depends on meeting the needs of their constituents.

3. More likely that all elements of the population are represented.

4. Generally, reps are educated and more-capable citizens who can devote time needed to solve complex problems.

1. Decision making is time consuming. Desire of representatives to please everyone may cripple system.

2. Representatives may not always agree with those they represent.

3. Lack of involved citizenry may allow special interest groups to influence or dominate representatives.

This country was created after WWI when Brittan, who was in control of the area, named an Arab Prince as its Monarch. In the 1940’s it became an independent state.

Most of its people are Bedouins. These nomadic people live predominately in the dessert areas of Southwest Asia but manage to squeak out living the same way their ancestors have for thousands of years.

After World War II and the establishment of Israel, Hundreds of thousands of refugees flooded into the country from Palestine. This influx of people put such an economic strain on this young country, that it still is struggling to overcome it even today.

Jordan’s harsh environment, lack of natural resources, and shortage of fresh water makes it dependant on economic aide from oil rich Middle East countries and the United States.

The democratic reforms put in place by the late King Hussein offer the people of Jordan the best chance to have a say in the future of their country and their lives. constitutional monarchy

chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Prince HUSSEIN (born 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II, is considered to be first in line to inherit the throne head of government: Prime Minister Nader al-DAHABI (since 25 November 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - six seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special electoral panel if no women are elected)

Constitutional MonarchyA government with a written plan, or constitution, that includes a monarch as a ceremonial leader and a parliament or other legislature to make the laws.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

1. Citizens are involved in decision making through their representatives, lobbying, and voting.2. Representatives are aware their job depends on meeting the needs of their constituents.

3. More likely that all elements of the population are represented.

4. Monarch has almost celebrity status with the people. Are not held responsible for unpopular decisions, yet can help form public opinion

1. Decision making is time consuming. Desire of representatives to please everyone may cripple system.

2. Representatives may not always agree with those they represent.

3. Lack of involved citizenry may allow special interest groups to influence or dominate representatives.