Understanding the Middle East

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Across
  1. 4. The most widely spoken language in the Middle East and the liturgical language of Islam.
  2. 6. Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) that believe in the prophet Abraham.
  3. 8. The primary natural resource and export for many Middle Eastern nations, often called "black gold."
  4. 10. An intergovernmental organization of 12 nations that coordinates petroleum policies.
  5. 11. A high-value spice; Iran is the world’s largest producer of this "red gold."
  6. 13. word used in economics to describe an association of manufacturers or suppliers that maintains prices at a high level.
  7. 16. A mineral used in fertilizers; Jordan and Syria are major global suppliers.
  8. 17. A traditional scarf or head-covering worn by Muslim women.
  9. 19. A Mediterranean sea in Western Asia, bordered by the world’s largest oil-producing nations.
  10. 21. The process of removing salt from seawater, a crucial technology for providing fresh water in the region.
Down
  1. 1. A narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman; the world’s most important oil "chokepoint."
  2. 2. A historical form of Islamic government led by a successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
  3. 3. A scattered population whose origin lies in a separate geographic locale.
  4. 5. A geographic term referring to the eastern Mediterranean region, including Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
  5. 7. Chemical products derived from petroleum, a major industry for Iran and Saudi Arabia.
  6. 8. A figure or group authorized to act for another, often used to describe regional influence.
  7. 9. A form of government with a monarch (King, Emir, or Sultan) at the head, common in the Gulf states.
  8. 11. The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
  9. 12. The profession or skill of managing international relations through negotiation.
  10. 14. The traditional language of the Jewish people and an official language of Israel.
  11. 15. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting
  12. 18. The historical region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, mostly in modern-day Iraq.
  13. 20. Nickname for petroleum
  14. 22. Acronym for Israeli soldiers.