After years of diplomatic isolation Syria is emerging from the cold. In this new edition, Standish looks at Syria's long history and its present-day political realities and offers practical tips for traveling and on what to expect when conducting business.

Sarah Standish is an Arabic teacher and writer who graduated with a B.A. in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies from Barnard College before spending a year in Syria studying Arabic language and literature on a fellowship from the Center for Arabic Study Abroad. She has also spent time in Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon. She is particularly interested in Arab cinema, television, and literature, as well as the impact of new information technologies on the Middle East. She currently teaches Arabic her hometown of Portland, Oregon.