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
18.01.2013	Chilcot Inquiry: an update
	The Iraq Inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, was originally expected to have reported by now but the broad scope of the inquiry and the amount of evidence have led to delays in publication, which is now not expected until autumn 2013 at the earliest. This note provides a brief update on progress.
05.12.2012	Israeli settlements and the E1 area
	Statistics and commentary on Israeli sttlements in the Occupied Territories
01.11.2012	In brief: Syria's bloody stalemate
	A brief update on events in Syria since August 2012
02.08.2012	Arab uprisings: an update
	Two of the three countries that have had elections since the Arab uprisings - Tunisia and Egypt - have seen mainstream and more radical Islamists dominating. In Libya, the third of the three, a pragmatic and relatively secular politician who had been former Prime Minister during the rebellion did well. It is still early to know what these new governments will do.
28.06.2012	Turkey: recent developments
	Turkey in the first half of 2012 has perhaps taken one step forward and two steps back. It is shifting towards a more 'normal' foreign policy; but it has made little progress towards EU accession; there has been a resurgence of violence around the Kurdish issue; and human rights seem to be slipping.

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
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.