The work answers 101 essential questions on the Middle East Islam the Arab Spring al-Qaida and ISIS. It is for those wanting to begin an intellectual immersion into the complexities of the region from pre-biblical times to the post-Arab Spring that have impacted our lives today. The authors have focused on thinking carefully about what the deploying Soldier Sailor Marine or Airman needed to know BEFORE they arrive in the Middle East such as the nuances inherent in a region that is the crossroads of three continents (Europe Asia and Africa) and how previous global powers interacted and left their mark on the region. This guide while developed and written for America's men and women about to deploy to combat zones and areas of operation is also of use to a wider audience of Americans serious about the challenges of the region.