This course examines the various dimensions of war in the Middle East from antiquity to the present, treating warfare not only as battles and weapons but as a social practice that shaped—and was shaped by—political power, technology, and everyday life. We begin with the earliest forms of organized war in Mesopotamia, before turning to Ancient Egypt and Persia, where new tactics transformed the battlefield.

From the Islamic conquests and Crusades to the Ottomans, colonial powers, and modern states, we explore how war built empires, redefined societies, impacted civilians, and created military, political, economic, and socio-religious institutions. We also consider the role of animals as draft power, transport, and living weapons. Modern topics include coups, decolonization, Arab-Israeli wars, the Gulf Wars, and the wars on terror. Across eras, we ask how technologies, recruitment, slavery, war/booty economies, tributes, nationalism, gender, and memory reveal the deep and troubling legacies of war in the region. This course acts as a general introduction to other NMC courses across all disciplines.