Library of Middle East Studies

PSO AND THE MIDDLE EAST

The Policy Studies Organization vigorously supports Middle East research and teaching by a growing library of books from its Westphalia Press, by its well known journal, Digest of Middle East Studies, and by an annual conference in Washington which has produced an extensive collection of videos from past conferences.  
 
As for what is covered, our view is that the terms Near East, Arab world, Muslim and Islamic topics, and Middle East often cover similar topics. Both the Executive Director and President of PSO have visited the region. The president, Dr. Rich, was involved in the development of universities in Saudi Arabia and head of supervisory affairs in the Ministry of Education and Culture in Qatar — and has written or edited a number of books on the area. Some of these have been published or republished by Westphalia Press. 
 
The PSO has been very fortunate in cooperating with the Next Century Foundation, a British-based think tank, and counting among among its many activities the generation of reports on developments in the Middle East. They have contributed outstanding speakers for the annual conference. 
 
Our journal greatly prospered and benefited in its coverage through many years from the editorship of Dr. Mohammed Aman, Dean of the library school of the University of Wisconsin, Egyptian by birth and mentor to generations of Muslim students coming to America. Several of his books are published by Westphalia Press. 
 
We currently partner in the journal and other ways with Dr. Catherine Warrick at Villanova University, where Professor Warwick is Director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies. She welcomes manuscripts on a wide variety of subjects.
 
The PSO is always interested in projects, including publishing and proposals which are media oriented, but is open to any ideas that stretch the boundaries of Middle East scholarship. Those needing information and those with interesting suggestions are encouraged to contact the Executive Director, Daniel Gutierrez, at any time. Presentations at the future annual conferences can take advantage of its hybrid nature, meeting in Washington every year in March and online. 

Conference:

The Middle East Dialogue (Washington DC)

Publications:

Iran: Who Is Really In Charge?

by Camille Verleuw, Introduction by Alain Bauer Purchase through Amazon  Born in a country with three official languages, and an acquaintance with Latin during high school, it was no surprise that author Camille Verleuw became interested in Indo-European linguistics, discovering the Persian language…Read more Iran: Who Is Really In Charge?

The Arab of Mesopotamia

by Gertrude Bell, Introduction by Paul Rich Purchase through Amazon  One very determined woman incontestably held her own and more with the great figures of the Middle East in the early twentieth century. That was Gertrude Bell. Highly strung, petulant, aggressive, and gossipy,…Read more The Arab of Mesopotamia

The Land of the Date

by C. M. Cursetjee Purchase through Amazon  In December 1916 the SS Zaiyanni left Bombay bound for the port of Basra, at the head of the Persian Gulf. On board was C. M. Cursetjee, a 69-year-old Oxford-educated Indian Parsee, on his way to…Read more The Land of the Date

Egypt: The Death of Philae

Egypt: The Death of Philae by Pierre Loti, Translated by W. P. Baines Purchase through Amazon Louis Marie-Julien Viaud (1850-1923) adopted the pseudonym, Pierre Loti, while in Tahiti. He served in the French military, ultimately becoming a naval officer. His service led him to…Read more Egypt: The Death of Philae

Syria the Land of Lebanon

by Lewis Gaston Leary, Preface by Paul Rich Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace This emphatically is not a book about the territory now constituting Syria but about an era when the terms Lebanon and Syria were used in a politically incorrect…Read more Syria the Land of Lebanon

Baghdad and Points East

by Robert J. Casey Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace Robert Casey belonged to the generation of foreign correspondents who outdid Hollywood in their adventures. Cited for bravery in World War I, he then spent twenty-seven years as a columnist for the Chicago…Read more Baghdad and Points East

Eight Decades in Syria

Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace by A.J. McFarland The Reformed Presbyterian Church is a very small denomination of about six thousand members that at one time had a presence in the Middle East. This scarce record of its activities amongst the…Read more Eight Decades in Syria

Gunboat and Gun-runner

Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace by T.T. Jeans Admiral T.T. Jeans was a decorated British Naval officer with considerable experience in the Middle East.  He wrote this fast-moving novel based on his experiences and those of his compatriots.  The plot turns…Read more Gunboat and Gun-runner