International Issues in the Middle East - The Two Gates to the Middle East: Egypt and Turkey Social Sciences & International Politics Program Fall 2023 Semester - French Alps: Grenoble

The course will focus on the two gates to the Middle East in the Eastern Mediterranean: Egypt and Turkey. Egypt and Turkey seem to have so much in common. Geographically, they each straddle two continents: Africa and Asia for the former, Asia and Europe for the latter. Historically, Egypt had been Ottoman for nearly 4 centuries. Strategically, both countries are regarded as regional powers but struggle to find their place next to important political and cultural areas (Europe, the Balkans, Caucasus, the Arab World, Northern Africa?).

Mostly African from a territorial point of view, Egypt considers itself as the beacon of the Arab World which blurs its relationship with the rest of Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Mainly located in Asia Minor, Turkey is the heir to an Empire that was a European power and it is mainly linked to the Western World by its contemporary alliances.

Yet these similarities hide in fact significant differences between both countries which have again been shown by the latest developments of their current affairs. Egypt is an Arab country where religion still plays a key role in society and political life. Although at present it has a conservative Islamic government Turkey has distanced itself from the traditional Muslim approach to relations between State and religion.

Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course. CEA CAPA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA (2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. credit therefore, 5 ECTS credits is equivalent to 2.5 U.S. credits).