First Published in 1983, Syria: Modern State in an Ancient Land presents a concise profile of Syria in which the author depicts the factors that shaped modern Syria, introducing its land, people, and culture and explaining how it moved from being the coup - prone cockpit of inter-Arab politics to the relative stability in the 1980s. He discusses how its political system functions, the development of its moderate socialist economy, the nation's external affairs (particularly within the Middle East), and issues for the future-the last of particular interest because Syria is in a process of change in its politics, society, and international relationships. Throughout he provides a framework within which to understand and assess the developments in Syria in the 1980s. This is a must read for students of Middle East studies and Middle East history.