US educational policies in the Middle East: History and modernity

Abstract

Considered are successes and failures of the US educational policies in the Middle East in 1940–2000. The main purpose of these policies was to create socioprofessional groups loyal to the US and to foster a positive image of the US in this region. American education reforms and training programs for the military during the Cold War in 1940–1980 s contributed to the surge of the anti-American feelings in the region in 1990s. The current projects, educating the political elites and leaders of pro-democratic parties, providing wider access to education for women, launching a series of reforms in schools and universities, do not contribute to introducing democracy in the region and to fostering the positive image of the USA.