Aimed at those who seek a better knowledge of the Arab world, this text maps out the geo-political history of the region from the beginning of this century until the early 1990s, and tackles the issues that have shaped the political and cultural destiny. In an effort to explain the gulf of misunderstanding and distrust between Arabs and Westerners, it discusses the impact of Western influence and the response of the Arabs. It also offers an analysis of the main social and intellectual currents, whether Islamist or secular, that underlie the politics of contemporary Arab countries.