This work answers 101 essential questions on the Middle East, Islam, the Arab Spring, al-Qa'ida, and ISIS. It is for those wanting to begin an intellectual immersion into the complexities of the region from pre-biblical times to the post-Arab Spring. The authors have carefully focused on what the deploying soldier, sailor, Marine, coast guardsman or airman needs to know before arriving in the Middle East, including the nuances inherent in a region that is the crossroads of three continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and how previous global powers interacted and left their mark. While developed and written for Americans about to deploy to combat zones and areas of operation, it is also of use to a wider audience of Americans serious about the challenges of the region.