Area Studies: Middle East
Area Studies microforms collections are those collections which pertain to a specific region and/or country. Collections are grouped by region, and within region, alphabetically by country. Be sure to check listings for both the general resources and the country to find all collections with information about your subject. Countries are listed under their current official name in English.
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General
CIA RESEARCH REPORTS: MIDDLE EAST, 1946-1976.
Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1982.
3 reel(s)
Central Intelligence Agency reports from the Middle East are concerned primarily with internal political situations in individual Middle Eastern countries and in the region as a whole. The subjects include internal political developments, Arab-Israeli relations, the 1956 Suez Canal crisis, the Kurdish national problem, oil production and exploration, the involvement of the Soviet Union, China, France, and Britain in Middle Eastern politics, the Soviet threat to Iran and Turkey, and the Azerbaijani Crisis in 1947. The collection also includes biographical reports on political and military leaders in the region.
Guides:
CIA research reports : Middle East, 1946-1976 [guide].
The guide lists all the reports, which are arranged geographically and chronologically. It also includes a subject index.
HUMAN RELATIONS AREA FILES.
Ann Arbor, Mich: University Microfilms International, 1968.
Human Relations Area Files
The Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) were developed to facilitate study, teaching, and research in the behavioral sciences, in area studies, and in the humanities. They should be especially valuable as a basis for world and comparative studies of human behavior, social life, and culture in the fields of anthropology, sociology, geography, politics, and psychology. The HRAF files are reputed to be one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of cultural data in existence and they cover approximately three hundred world cultures. The collection contains books, articles, unpublished manuscripts, and the results of field work. HRAF material includes many rare sources and many exclusive translations from foreign texts. HRAF's unique arrangement facilitates comparative studies.
An uncataloged guide, The Nature and the Use of HRAF Files, is available in the Special Collections Office. The collection is organized into separate Cultural Files, each of which corresponds to a cultural unit listed in the Outline of World Cultures (OWC). Within each cultural file the material is organized according to the subject classification system in the Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM). A complete list of the titles included in the collection is available in HRAF Source Bibliography. The researcher may also wish to consult the Index to the Human Relations Area Files and its supplement (1979). Users are encouraged to ask a Special Collections staff member for assistance in the use of this collection.
NOT IN MERLIN
Guides:
Murdock, George Peter Outline of World Cultures (OWC)..
Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM)..
Contains a list of titles in the HRAF collection.
Index to the Human Relations Area Files.
The index is a page-by-page, line-by-line index to the sources included in the HRAF files organized (up to 1979) according to the subject categories in the OCM.
MIDDLE EAST, SPECIAL STUDIES, 1970-1980.
Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1981.
Special Studies Series
18 reel(s)
This is a collection of one hundred forty-four studies concerning the problems of the Middle East in the years 1945 to 1980. The papers deal both with problems of the whole region and with the separate countries of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. The topics include the Arab-Israeli conflict, the military situation and the internal problems of individual countries, superpower involvement and their policies, an analysis of the oil problem, tension in the Persian Gulf region, United States arms sales and their implications, the Palestinian problem and terrorism. These studies were commissioned by various United States government agencies from a number of private and governmental "think tanks" such as the Army War College, Rand Corporation, and the Center for Naval Analyses and Operations Research, Inc.
Guides:
The Middle East, special studies, 1970-1980 [guide].
The guide gives a precis of each paper and includes a subject index. The authors and their institutional affiliations are also listed.
MIDDLE EAST: SPECIAL STUDIES, 1980-1982, SUPPLEMENT.
Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1983.
Special Studies Series
3 reel(s)
This is a collection of forty-two studies dealing with various aspects of the Middle East's political, economic, and military situation. The studies deal with problems concerning particular countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey), and those problems concerning the region as a whole. The topics include the Iran-Iraq war, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Kurdish national problem, the influence and the policies of the superpowers, the economic ties between the United States and the Arab countries, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iranian Islamic revolution, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. These reports were commissioned by various United States government agencies from a number of private and governmental "think tanks" such as the Naval Postgraduate School, the Center for Naval Analyses, the National Defense University, and the Economic Research Service.
Guides:
McClure, Ruth. The Middle East, special studies, 1980-1982 supplement : [guide].
The guide contains a precis of each paper and includes a subject index. The authors and their institutional affiliation are also listed.
MIDDLE EAST: SPECIAL STUDIES, 1985-1988, SUPPLEMENT.
Bethesda, MD: University Publications of America, 1989.
Special Studies Series
8 reel(s)
The reels in this collection cover the politics and governments of the Middle East including Afghanistan, Cyprus, Ehypt, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Morocco, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen. Subjects include ethnic conflicts, foreign policies, food aid programs, arms sales, and much more.
NOT IN MERLIN
FILM
Guides:
A Guide to the microfilm edition of Middle East special studies, 1985-1988 supplement.
The guide contains a table of contents, a reel index, and a subject index.
MIDDLE EAST: SPECIAL STUDIES, 1989-1991, SUPPLEMENT.
Bethesda, MD: University Publications of America, 1992.
Special Studies Series
10 reel(s)
Ninety-six papers dealing with the various political, military, and economic aspects of the Middle East from 1986-1991. Included are the countries of Afghanistan, Egypt, India, the Indian Ocean Region, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf region, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen.
Guides:
A Guide to the microfilm edition of Middle East special studies, 1989-1991 supplement.
The guide contains a table of contents, a reel index, and a subject index.
Egypt
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF EGYPT, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 571; v. National Archives record group 59.
31 reel(s)
Egypt's changing political situation, the British protectorate, political refugees and prisoners, riots, and conspiracies are discussed in the first reels of this Department of State decimal file. A lengthy group of records pertain to the Mixed Tribunals that had jurisdiction over Egyptians and foreigners. Another large group consists of clippings from the Egyptian press that were transmitted from the American minister in Cairo to the secretary of state. Other topics that relate to Egyptian internal affairs are government, education, agriculture, mining, canals, and archaeology.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Egypt, 1910-29, is available in the Special Collections Office. The guide is also filmed on the first reel preceding a complete list of documents included in the collections. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 6:12-13
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN EGYPT AND OTHER STATES,
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 573; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
The largest group of records reproduced in this small Department of State decimal file relates to problems of extraterritorial and capitulatory rights in Egypt and includes opinions and suggested modifications. Controversial capitulatory rights related to extension of criminal jurisdiction and immunity from taxes by foreigners. Other records are concerned with Egypt's relations with various African and Asian nations and include such topics as treaty negotiations and state visits.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Political Relations Between Egypt and Other States, 1910-29, is available in the Special Collections Office and is reproduced at the beginning of the collection. A complete list of the contents precedes the filmed documents. They are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 6:13
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND EGYPT, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 572; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
Most of the records in this small decimal file concern negotiations for treaties of arbitration and conciliation between the United States and Egypt and negotiations for a treaty renouncing war. Issues such as American capitulatory rights in Egypt, Great Britain's control over Egypt, and the eventual termination of Great Britain's protectorate influenced the ratification of these treaties. Articles from the Egyptian Gazette and other Egyptian newspapers advocate Egyptian independence. Other correspondence relates to the proposed plan to place 400 to 500 Armenian orphan girls in Armenian homes in Egypt.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Political Relations Between the United States and Egypt, 1910-29 is available in the Special Collections Office. This guide is also filmed on the first reel, along with a complete list of the documents included.
FILM 6:13
Iran
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST, IRAN, PART II.
Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1984.
15 reel(s)
Part II covers the years 1942-1944, for complete abstract see record for Part I.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Iraq [guide].
The guide contains a list of the records in the order that they appear on the microfilm and a subject index. The records are in chronological order.
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST, IRAN. PART 1, 1925-1941.
Washington D.C. Frederick, M.D.: University Publications of America, 1984.
39 reel(s)
This is a collection of papers from American diplomats stationed in Iran between 1925 and 1941. The papers concern the political, military, social and economic development of Iran and its relationship with other countries. The documents provide information on the evolution of United States policy in the area. The collection contains a wide range of material such as reports of political and military affairs, studies and statistics on socio-economic matters, interviews and minutes of meetings with government officials, legal documents, communications sent and received by United States diplomatic personnel, translations from the local media, translations of high level government documents, and transcripts of political meetings. Among the events documented are the founding of the Pahlevi Dynasty, assumption of the role of hereditary Shah in 1925 by Reza Khan, Reza Shah Pahlevi's cancellation of treaties with Britain and other powers, uprisings by Kurds, Bolshevik agitation, the Anglo-Persian oil company, industry, education, the occupation of Iran by British and Soviet forces in August, 1941, and the transfer of power to the Shah's son, Muhammed Reza Shah Pahlevi, in September 1941. The records are taken from National Archives record group 84.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Iran [guide].
The records are in chronological order. The guide contains a list of the records in the order they appear on the microfilm and a subject index.
Iraq
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST, IRAQ, PART II.
Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1984.
9 reel(s)
Part II covers the years 1942-1944, for complete abstract see record for Part I.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Iraq [guide].
The guide contains a list of the records in the order that they appear on the microfilm and a subject index. The records are in chronological order.
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST, IRAQ. PART 1, 1925-1941.
Frederick, M.D.: University Publications of America, 1984.
24 reel(s)
This is a collection of papers from American diplomats stationed in Iraq between 1925 and 1941. The papers concern the political, military, social, and economic development of Iran and its relationship with other countries. The documents provide information on the evolution of United States policy in the area. The collection contains a wide range of material such as reports of political and military affairs, studies and statistics on socioeconomic matters, interviews and minutes of meetings with government officials, legal documents, communications sent and received by United States diplomatic personnel, translations from the local media, translations of high-level government documents, and transcripts of political meetings. Subjects documented include United States embassy and legation administration, Anglo-Iraq relations, and Bolshevist activities.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Iraq [guide].
The guide contains a list of the records in the order that they appear on the microfilm and a subject index. The records are in chronological order.
Great Britain. Colonial Office. REPORT OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TO THE COUNCIL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF IRAQ.
Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress for Andronicus, 1973.
1 reel(s)
In 1920 the League of Nations granted Great Britain a mandate over Iraq. The mandate ended in 1932. During this period, the Colonial Office issued reports on its administrative actions. Subjects include political developments within the country, foreign relations, jails, health services, agriculture, foreign trade, budgets, civil and criminal courts, legislation, military training, public works, and education. Appendices include the texts of specific legislation.
The title of the report varies. A table of contents appears at the beginning of each report. The microfilm covers reports from 1920 to 1932. Paper copies for the same time period are available (956.7 G79).
FILM MISC
Israel
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST, JERUSALEM, PART 1, 1925-1941.
Frederick, M.D.: University Publications of America, 1984.
12 reel(s)
Papers from American diplomats stationed in Jerusalem between 1925 and 1941 are filmed in this collection. The papers concern the political, military, social, and economic development of Palestine under the British Mandate. They cover the period when many of the political, religious, and military conflicts relating to modern Israel were emerging. The documents also provide information on the evolution of United States policy in the region. The collection contains a wide range of material such as reports of political and military affairs, studies and statistics of socioeconomic matters, interviews and minutes of meetings with government officials, legal documents, communications sent and received by United States diplomatic personnel, translations from the local media, translations of high-level government documents, and transcripts of political meetings. Subjects documented include immigration, the Mandate treaty, the problem of holy places, and racial disturbances. The records are taken from National Archives record group 84.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Jerusalem [guide].
The guide contains a list of the records in the order that they appear on the microfilm and a subject index. The records are in chronological order.
ISRAEL, NATIONAL SECURITY FILES, 1963-1969.
Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1982.
3 reel(s)
The collection consists of telegrams and reports received by the National Security Council from American diplomatic representatives and confidential sources in Israel, internal memoranda of the Council, and reports sent by the Council to the White House. The material covers the years 1963-1969 and deals with such topics as the relations between the United States and Israel, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the political, economic, and military situation of Israel, American arms sales to Israel and Jordan, the internal situation in states bordering on Israel as well as the American policy towards these states, the Soviet involvement in the Middle East, and attitudes of American Jews towards Israel.
Guides:
A Guide to Israel, national security files, 1963-1969 [microform].
The guide lists all the documents, which are arranged chronologically within two subseries: "Cables" and "Memos and Miscellaneous".
Lebanon
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST BEIRUT. PART 1, 1925-1941.
Frederick, M.D: University Publications of America, 1984.
21 reel(s)
This is a collection of papers from American diplomats stationed in Beirut between 1925 and 1941. The papers concern the political, military, social, and economic development of French Syria. The documents provide information on the evolution of United States policy in the region. The collection contains a wide range of material such as reports of political and military affairs, studies and statistics of socioeconomic matters, interviews and minutes of meetings with government officials, legal documents, communications sent and received by United States diplomatic personnel, translations from the local media, translations of high-level government documents, and transcripts of political meetings. Subjects documented include Lebanese independence, British-Vichy French hostilities in 1941, and the refueling and provisioning of merchant ships. The records are taken from National Archives record group 84.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Beirut [guide].
The guide contains a list of the records in the order that they appear on the microfilm and a subject index. The records are in chronological order.
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS: MIDDLE EAST, BEIRUT. PART 2, 1942-1944.
Frederick, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1984.
7 reel(s)
Special Collections also has Part 1 (1925-1941). For complete abstract see record for Part I.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Iran [guide].
The records are in chronological order. The guide contains a list of the records in the order they appear on the microfilm and a subject index.
France. Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres. RAPPORT SUR LA SITUATION DE LA SYRIE ET DU LIBAN 1922-1938.
New York, N.Y.: Library of Congress, 1973.
2 reel(s)
After Turkey's defeat in World War I, the League of Nations awarded France a mandate over Syria and Lebanon. Although Nationalist revolts began early in the twentieth century, French troops did not leave until 1946. While France occupied the country, the Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres issued annual reports. The subjects covered in the reports include the general organization of the countries and their affairs, the political situation, security, the administration of justice, education, public assistance, the economic situation, and the budget.
A table of contents appears at the beginning of each annual report. We have reports for 1922 through 1938.
FILM MISC
Syria
France. Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres. RAPPORT SUR LA SITUATION DE LA SYRIE ET DU LIBAN 1922-1938.
New York, N.Y.: Library of Congress, 1973.
2 reel(s)
After Turkey's defeat in World War I, the League of Nations awarded France a mandate over Syria and Lebanon. Although Nationalist revolts began early in the twentieth century, French troops did not leave until 1946. While France occupied the country, the Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres issued annual reports. The subjects covered in the reports include the general organization of the countries and their affairs, the political situation, security, the administration of justice, education, public assistance, the economic situation, and the budget.
A table of contents appears at the beginning of each annual report. We have reports for 1922 through 1938.
FILM MISC
Turkey
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF TURKEY, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1961.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 353; v. National Archives record group 59.
88 reel(s)
Documents that relate to World War I activities in Turkey dominate this Department of State decimal file. Included are correspondence, memoranda, and other documents which discuss the United States Peace Mission of 1919, conditions in Baghdad, Smyrna, and Damascas, the Lausanne Conference, the expulsion and persecution of Armenians in Turkey, and opposition to the Zionist movement. Reproduced are Turkish High Command weekly reports of war operations as well as war diaries of United States naval commanding officers. Non-war related documents are concerned with public health, concessions to United States corporations, emigration, disasters, religion, and archaeological expeditions in Asia Minor. Documents relating to domestic affairs in Palestine are also included. These discuss government, constitutions, courts, laws, public works, education, financial affairs, petroleum, manufacturing of matches, excavation of salt from the Dead Sea, and conflicts between Arabs and Jews over incidents at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
A complete list of the documents in the collection is on reels 1-3. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 5:3-5:4
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY, 1910-1929.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1961.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 365; v. National Archives record group 59.
8 reel(s)
The papers in this decimal file chronicle the negotiations for peace following World War I between consular and diplomatic representatives of the United States and Turkey. The majority of the documents concern the Lausanne Conference which led to the treaty ending the war between the United States and Turkey. The documents reflect the lengthy negotiations over the agenda, the treaty, and its aftermath. Modification of the terms of surrender figures prominently in the negotiations. Other agreements documented are the Treaty for the Renunciation of War (Kellogg-Briand Pact) and treaties on shipping, naturalization, extraterritoriality, and arbitration. Correspondence expressing the desire to regularize relations and resume commerce are balanced by protests against the Lausanne Treaty and the Treaty of Commerce.
A list of all documents is on the first reel. The documents are arranged by subject in accordance with the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 5:5
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND OTHER STATES, 1910-1929.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1961.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 363; v. National Archives record group 59.
29 reel(s)
The Department of State decimal file of documents related to political relations between Turkey and other countries is primarily concerned with the conference that met in Lausanne in 1922-23, which led to the peace treaty with Turkey after World War I. The Lausanne Conference dealt with problems of war debts and reparations, resumption of trade and other economic questions, communication and transportation, boundary questions, and limitation of arms. A considerable portion of the collection also relates to the Greco-Turkish War that ended in 1922 and to Turkey's relations with Bulgaria and other Balkan states.
The first reel of the collection is a complete listing with brief abstracts of all documents included. It serves as a finding aid to the collection. The documents are arranged by subject according to the decimal classification system of the Department of State.
FILM 5:4-5:5
Yemen
CONFIDENTIAL U.S. DIPLOMATIC POST RECORDS, MIDDLE EAST, ADEN, 1925-1941.
Frederick, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1984.
9 reel(s)
Documents from the United States diplomatic post at Aden are arranged first by year and then under the following subject headings: commerce and commercial relations, relations of state, and internal affairs of state. Reel 7 contains confidential files for 1925 through 1935. Specific topics include: Abyssinia (Ethiopia), agriculture, the Anglo-Italian accord, financial conditions, Italy, the League of Nations, military and naval affairs, petroleum, political affairs, transportation, and communication. The records are taken from National Archives record group 84.
Guides:
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records : Middle East, Aden [guide].
This guide contains a table of contents, a reel index, and a subject index.