Contact: Maridith Geuder
From its beginning in 18th century trade through the 1990-91 Gulf War and other 20th century conflicts, the history of U.S. involvement in the Middle East may easily be traced with a new online resource developed by Mississippi State.
Designed for general audiences, the University Libraries-John C. Stennis Institute of Government collaboration provides a comprehensive context for current events through a detailed interactive presentation.
The site is available at either http://www.sig.msstate.edu/mainpage.fwx or http://library.msstate.edu/congressional/research_center.asp.
Based on research by Craig S. Piper of the library's Congressional and Political Research Center and Stephen Williams of the Stennis Institute, the collection includes links to maps, photos and additional documents. An extensive bibliography provides additional connections for more information.
"This presentation had its origins in the events of September 11," Piper said. "We wanted to provide a sense of the complexity of historical, economic and political issues in the region, especially as they relate to the United States."
Specifically, the sites' sections are arranged by historical timeframe, country, major U.S. doctrines related to the region, and major political players. Among a host of other topics are oil exploration, Palestine and Israel, the 1967 June War, and 1990-91 Persian Gulf Crisis.
Williams, who spent six months bringing his and Piper's research together in the single location, said an understanding of today's seemingly intractable Middle Eastern conflict first requires an appreciation of the region and its history, especially in relation to the United States.
"The more research I did, the more I came to recognize how many, many layers of history there are to the current situation," he said.
Opened in late 1999, the Congressional and Political Research Center at Mitchell Memorial Library houses the papers of former United States senator John C. Stennis, retired congressmen G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, David R. Bowen, Charles Griffin, and Mike Espy, and current 3rd District Rep. Chip Pickering. Rounding out the collection are papers of the late Wiley Carter, former chief aide to Sen. Thad Cochran, and Wayne Weidie, current chief of staff for Rep. Gene Taylor.
The Stennis Institute was created in 1976 with a three-fold mission to promote civic education and citizen involvement in the political process; to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of local government through basic and applied research, and training and service programs; and to provide technical assistance and research for both state and regional development.
The library center and institute jointly produce a quarterly newsletter titled "We the People" and co-sponsor a school-year lecture series featuring a variety of political leaders.
For more information on "United States Involvement in the Middle East," telephone Piper at (662) 325-7680 or Williams at 325-6693.