This course explores the environmental and political history of the Middle East since the 1600s. Beginning with a brief overview of the premodern era, we will delve into how elements like climate, geography, plants, and animals have shaped the region’s societies, and how human activities have, in turn, impacted the natural world. By investigating the intersection of environment and society, we will explore the cultural and political institutions of the Middle East, its global connections, the impact of modern technology, and the historical origins of the environmental problems facing the region today.