b'The Middle East in the 20th Century Broadcast Jan. 3 - 18To truly understand 20 thand 21 stcentury Western history, onemust grasp Middle Eastern and Islamic history. This objectiveis in the capable hands of Eamonn Gearon. Shifting borders,governmental overthrows, ethnic tensions, and economic forcesall had a hand in shaping the course of Middle Eastern history.From the fall of the Ottoman Empire . to the creation of Israeland the Arab-Israeli War, this regions story and its global impactis one of people searching for self-determination. In addition toserving as a professor at Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Gearon is themanaging director of the Siwa Group, a consultancy that trainsU.S. State Department officials and Defense Department workerswhose jobs involve the Middle East and North Africa. 49'