p.295.non-fictionAs Iraq descends ever closer to civil war, no one doubts that George W. Bush's Iraq strategy has been an abysmal failure -- just as Gwynne Dyer argued it would be in both Ignorant Armies and Future: Tense. The question now is what will happen not just in Iraq but in the whole Middle East region once American troops are withdrawn. In The Mess They Made, Dyer predicts that the Middle East will go through the biggest shake up since the region was conquered and folded into the Ottoman Empire five centuries ago. In his trademark vivid prose, and in arguments as clear as his research is thorough, Dyer brings his considerable knowledge and understanding of the region to bear on the issue of how widespread the meltdown in the Middle East will likely be. In five chapters, Dyer points the way from present policies and events to likely future developments in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and in the various other countries of the region, not least of which is nuclear-armed Israel. Argues that the Middle East is about to change fundamentally and everything is now up for grabs: regimes, ethinic pecking orders within states, even national borders themselves are liable to change without notice. Five years from now there could be an Islamic Republic of Arabia, an independent Kurdistan, a Muslim cold war, and more. iraq war 2003-2011 - history, middle east - international relations

four photos on a page from an albumbeersheba, a.i.f, ww1, country views, ottoman syria, waddi

Index, ill, map, p.335.non-fictionThe Arab Revolt of 1916-1918, when the disparate tribes of Arabia rose up as one great force to defeat an empire, was one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the Middle East and a pivotal element of the Middle Eastern arena of World War I. It sounded the death knell for the Ottoman Empire and paved the way for a new colonial power in the region - the British. It was T.E. Lawrence, a young army officer with a brilliant military mind and unmatched knowledge of the region and the Arab people, who - alongside the charismatic Faisal I - led the Revolt. These were epic events that changed the shape of the Middle East and affected Lawrence for the rest of his life. His magnificent first-hand account of the period is now a classic of 20th century literature. world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - middle east, lawrence of arabia

The photograph was taken at a gathering held at the Victoria Theatre in Victoria Street Richmond in 1961. The function was held to celebrate 25th March Greek National Day. Seated in the front row second from the left with other dignitaries is Stathi Vlass who was Secretary of Melbourne's Greek Community during the 60s. He was also president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 1957 - 1959. Fifth from the left is Stathi's uncle, Spiros Raftopoulos who was the President of the Greek Returned Soldiers. Important national days for the Greek community are the 25 March and 28 October. 25 March commemorates the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821; it honors the Greeks' fight for freedom after being occupied by the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. The 28th of October, known as OXI day (NO day) commemorates the rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on 28 October 1940 with a resounding NO. Subsequently Italy invaded Greece but were successfully repelled by the Greeks, delivering one of the first allied victories. However, this was met with a forceful and immediate response when In April 1941 Germany invaded Greece. Greek resistance fighters — a combination of right and left wing partisan groups — mounted a sustained guerrilla war throughout the 4 year occupation. Greece suffered 400,000 casualties during the occupation.A copied black and white photograph of a group of people seated in a large auditorium. CELEBRATION OF THE GREEK NATIONAL DAY HELD IN THE VICTORIA THEATRE/ VICTORIA ST. RICHMOND IN 1661(incorrect date) vlassopoulos

The photograph was taken outside the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church East Melbourne following a celebratory eulogy marking the unification of the Heptanese (seven islands) with Greece in 1864. The Heptanese are located in Western Greece in the Ionian Sea. They include Kerkira, Zakinthos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Paxos, Kefallonia, and Kythera. The celebration is organised each year by Melbourne's Heptanesean Federation and commences with a celebratory church eulogy followed by afternoon tea and cultural activities at the host clubrooms. The women are dressed in traditional dress of each island .Ithaca (and the other islands of the Heptanese) were unified with Greece in 1864. From approx 1500 Ithaca was under centuries-long Venetian rule, which largely preserved it from becoming part of the Ottoman Empire, thus creating a distinct cultural identity with Venetian influences. Following a brief period in 1797 of French rule, Ithaca became a British protectorate from 1809 until 1864 followng which the island was reunified with the modern Greek state. Although Ithacans made up the largest number of Greek migrants who settled in Melbourne in the first half of the twentieth century, other Greeks from the neighbouring Ionian Islands also migrated to Australia during those years. In particular from Lefkada, and also from Kythera most of whom settled in regional towns in New South Wales and Queensland.A newspaper cutting mounted on white cardboard which includes a photograph taken in front of a brick building with a caption below in Greek. The photograph is of a celebration and features eight ladies dressed in Greek traditional dress in front of a group of people. The celebrations by the Heptanesian Federation of Melbourne for the 135th anniversary of the unification of the the seven Ionian islands with mother Greece, commence tomorrow with a celebratory eulogy at the The Holy Temple of the Evangelismos Church East Melbourne. The afternoon of the same day at the Lefkadian Brotherhood Hall, 12A Bell St; Coburg, the Federation has organised a cultural and musical afternoon dedicated to 'The Seven Diamonds of the Ionian'. The program will feature a talk, 'Angelos Sikelianos, an environmentalist, before his time', by Mr. N.Sofokleos; recitations from Stathis Raftopoulos and Thanasis Makrigeorgos; and Heptanesian melodies and songs from the choir and orchestra of the Educational Group of Florina, Melbourne. At the conclusion , savoury snacks, coffee and sweets will be served. Entry is free. In the photo, a snapshot of last year's event.eptanesian