Middle East
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the Middle East. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 04.07.2013 | Coup in Egypt |
| A brief survey of the Egyptian military's removal of President Mohamed Mursi. | |
| 02.07.2013 | Palestine: update 2013 |
| 18.06.2013 | Syria: The legality of arming the rebels after the lifting of the EU arms embargo |
| Would arming the Syrian rebels be illegal, notwithstanding the lifting of the EU arms embargo? | |
| 09.05.2013 | Israel's new government |
| A brief summary of the new Israeli government and of the domestic and international issues facing it. | |
| 26.04.2013 | United Arab Emirates uncovered |
| The latest development from the oil-rich nation of United Arab Emirates |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 30.08.2012 | Syria: no end in sight? |
| In summer 2012, the tempo of the Syrian conflict suddenly appeared to quicken. After long months during which many predicted a stalemate between the two sides, a bomb killed some of the Syrian government's top security personnel, the authorities appeared to be losing control of much larger areas of the country, and more senior figures defected, including the Prime Minister. | |
| 15.11.2011 | The Arab Uprisings |
| Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region's revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies' divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region's militaries are considered. | |
| 11.12.2009 | The Islamic Republic of Iran: An introduction |
| This paper provides an introduction to the Islamic Republic of Iran; its politics, economy, foreign and defence policies, and nuclear programme. It examines the governmental structure of the theocratic state, analyses the key personalities and forums of decision-making and assesses Iran's policies at home and abroad. | |
| 06.07.2007 | Hamas and the seizure of Gaza |
| Hamas and the seizure of Gaza. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/60. | |
| 19.01.2007 | The crisis in Lebanon |
| The Crisis in Lebanon. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/08. |
Select Committee Reports
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 06.10.2009 | Global security: Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. |
| Government response. Foreign and Commonwealth Office report [Commons] | |
| 15.07.2009 | Global security: Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. |
| Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons] |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 08.02.2012 | PROPOSED EU LEGISLATION ON FINANCING OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN THE WEST BANK |
| That this House welcomes the December 2011 Report by the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah, especially the proposal for appropriate EU legislation to prevent and discourage ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | GENERAL STRIKE IN EGYPT |
| That this House expresses its support for the general strike in Egypt due to be held on 11 February 2012 called by the Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions and supported ... | |
| 26.01.2012 | LIVING IN THE HOLY LAND AND NATIONAL CURRICULUM |
| That this House believes that life over the last 100 years in that part of the Middle East known as the Holy Land should form part of the National Curriculum for History so that pupils ... | |
| 24.01.2012 | DIALOGUE WITH IRAN |
| That this House is deeply concerned at the prospect of war with Iran; is appalled at the naval military build-up in the Persian Gulf and the danger that this may spark a conflict with ... | |
| 11.01.2012 | WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION FREE ZONE IN THE MIDDLE EAST |
| That this House welcomes the Government's support for the establishment of a weapons of mass destruction free zone in the Middle East since the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review ... |
Lords Library Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 27.06.2013 | Debate on 1 July: Recent Developments in Syria, the Middle East and North Africa |
| This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate in the House of Lords on 1 July on recent developments in Syria, the Middle East, and North Africa. | |
| 10.07.2012 | Debate on 13 July: Recent Developments in the Middle East |
| This Library Note provides a brief summary of recent developments in selected countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as a table of statistical information covering the whole of the region. | |
| 12.03.2012 | Debate on 16 March: Recent Developments in the Middle East |
| This Library Note provides a brief summary of recent developments in Egypt, Iran, Israel/Palestine, Libya and Syria, as well as a table of statistical information covering the whole of the Middle East and North Africa. | |
| 03.02.2012 | Question for Short Debate on 8 February: Blockade of Gaza |
| This Library Note provides an overview of the blockade of Gaza by the Government of Israel, including its history, attempts to bypass the blockade and recent developments. It then examines the impact of the blockade on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and finally the response of the British Government. |
