A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | player | DESCRIPTION | type | majority population | majority muslim sect | regional power index (1-10) | territory (km2) | population / members | GDP ($bn) | GDP per person | % world oil reserves | notes | links | ||||||||||||||
2 | n.b. 'Syria' refers to Assad's regime unless stated otherwise; 'Egypt' refers to Egyptian military government following 2013 coup | our calcs | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html?countryname=Germany&countrycode=gm®ionCode=eur&rank=6#gm | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryname=Germany&countrycode=gm®ionCode=eur&rank=29#gm | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2244rank.html?countryname=Israel&countrycode=is®ionCode=mde&rank=92#is | http://www.pewforum.org/2009/10/07/mapping-the-global-muslim-population/ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Afghanistan | AFGHANISTAN: Turbulent decade has seen the country invaded, occupied by and finally militarily allied with the US. Currently experiencing an equally turbulent transition to democracy. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 1 | 652,230 | 31,108,077 | $34.29 | $1,100 | 0.01% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan | ||||||||||||||
4 | Al-Qaeda | AL-QAEDA: Global militant Sunni Islamic terrorist group, responsible for the 9/11 in 2001 attacks & various other civilian & military attacks since. Enforce a very strict Wahabist/Salafi form of Islam and consider liberal Muslims, Shias and other Muslim sects as enemies. Active in Syrian civil war. | organisation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | - | unknown | - | - | - | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda_insurgency_in_Yemen | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda_in_Iraq | |||||||||||||
5 | Bahrain | BAHRAIN: Small island nation & absolute monarchy, one of the only Middle Eastern Arab states not reliant on oil revenue. Focuses on "banking & tourism" instead. | nation | Muslim | Shia | but Sunni rulers | 1 | 760 | 1,281,332 | $33.63 | $29,200 | 0.00% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ba.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Bahrain | |||||||||||||
6 | China | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 5 | 9,596,961 | 1,349,585,838 | $12,610.00 | $9,300 | 0.97% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Iran_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Pakistan_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Syria_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Palestine_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Israel_relations | |||||||||||
7 | Egypt | EGYPT: Largest Arab country, key player in the region, and one of the only to have a peace treaty with Israel. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 4 | 1,001,450 | 85,294,388 | $548.80 | $6,700 | 0.29% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Egypt | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_Egypt#Crude_oil | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Egyptian_coup_d'%C3%A9tat#International_reactions | |||||||||||
8 | EU | international organisation | Non-Muslim | - | 6 | 4,324,782 | 503,890,016 | $15,970.00 | $35,100 | 0.35% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan%E2%80%93European_Union_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan%E2%80%93European_Union_relations | ||||||||||||||
9 | Fatah | FATAH: Founded and led by Yasser Arafat, Islamic group Fatah currently governs the West Bank area of the State of Palestine. Formed a unity government with Hamas under Mahmoud Abbas. | political organisation | Muslim | Sunni | 1 | - | 10,000 | - | - | - | Palestinian political party. governs West Bank | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatah | http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=128 | |||||||||||||
10 | France | FRANCE: Good business ties (mostly energy & arms) with several Middle Eastern nations. | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 3 | 643,801 | 65,951,611 | $2,291.00 | - | 0.01% | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_France#Middle_East | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93Israel_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93Russia_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93Turkey_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93United_States_relations | ||||||||||
11 | Gaza strip | GAZA STRIP: Part of the State of Palestine and currently governed by Hamas. | self-governing region | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | 365 | 1,700,000 | $0.77 | $3,100 | - | GDP = 2009 estimate | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip | ||||||||||||||
12 | Germany | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 4 | 357,022 | 81,147,265 | $3,250.00 | $39,700 | 0.02% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html | http://www.pewforum.org/2009/10/07/mapping-the-global-muslim-population/ | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations | ||||||||||||||
13 | Hamas | HAMAS: Palestinian Islamic group governing the Gaza Strip region of the State of Palestine. Commited to the end of the state of Israel. Recognized as a terrorist organisation by the US & EU, but not by Iran, Russia & China. | political organisation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | - | 1,000 | - | - | - | Palestinian political party. governs Gaza strip | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas | http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=49 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Palestine_relations | ||||||||||||
14 | Hezbollah | HEZBOLLAH: Lebanese Shia militant Islamist group & terrorist organisation, funded by Iran, heavily involved in the Syrian civil war | political organisation | Muslim | Shia | 3 | - | unknown | - | - | - | Lebanese militant movement | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah#Involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_and_the_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_conflict | |||||||||||||
15 | Houthis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | India | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 4 | 3,287,263 | 1,220,800,359 | $4,761.00 | $3,900 | 0.58% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India%E2%80%93Palestine_relations | |||||||||||||||
17 | Iran | IRAN: A large powerful Shia theocracy in a largely Sunni Muslim world. Major political and economic force in the region. Close to developing a nuclear weapon. Currently under UN sanctions. | nation | Muslim | Shia | 6 | 1,648,195 | 79,853,900 | $1,016.00 | $13,300 | 9.87% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_relations | ||||||||||||||
18 | Iraq | IRAQ: Effectively a three state country with Kurd-controlled region in the North, US-backed Shia-government controlling Baghdad and the South, and Islamic State (ISIS) controlling the rest. | nation | Muslim | Shia | 5 | 438,317 | 31,858,481 | $242.50 | $7,200 | 9.34% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iz.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi%E2%80%93Turkish_relations | ||||||||||||
19 | Iraqi Kurdistan | IRAQI KURDISTAN: Kurdish northern region of Iraq | region | Muslim | Sunni | 5 | 40,643 | 6,000,000 | - | - | 2.94% | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_Kurdistan | http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138359/joost-r-hiltermann/revenge-of-the-kurds | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Kurdish_relations | |||||||||||||
20 | Islamic Army in Iraq | ISLAMIC ARMY IN IRAQ: Shia militia group formed the backbone of the Iraqi resistance against US occupation and is now back in action against Islamic State (ISIS) in northern Iraq. | group | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | - | 10,400 | - | - | - | underground Islamist militant organization combines Islamism with Iraqi nationalism, formed after 2003 invasion | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Army_in_Iraq | ||||||||||||||
21 | Islamic State (ISIS) | ISLAMIC STATE (ISIS): Violent Sunni Jihadist military group, currently occupying most of central and Northern Iraq. Also fighting in Syria. | group | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | - | 2,500 | - | - | - | insurgent group affiliated with Al-Qaeda that has declared war on Shi'a Muslims | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq | ||||||||||||||
22 | Israel | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 6 | 20,770 | 7,707,042 | $252.80 | $32,800 | 0.00% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Israel | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Israel_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Syria_relations | ||||||||||||
23 | Jordan | JORDAN: Key diplomatic and strategic player & meditator in the region | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 4 | 89,342 | 6,482,081 | $39.29 | $6,100 | 0% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jo.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Jordan | ||||||||||||||
24 | Kuwait | KUWAIT: Oil-rich and struggling to reform its economic & political structures amid much internal factional disputes. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | 17,818 | 2,695,316 | $153.40 | $40,500 | 6.63% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Kuwait#United_States | ||||||||||||||
25 | Lebanon | LEBANON: Complex melting pot of communities and religions. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | 10,400 | 4,131,583 | $64.22 | $16,000 | 0.00% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/le.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Lebanon | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Lebanon_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq%E2%80%93Lebanon_relations | ||||||||||||
26 | Muslim Brotherhood | MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD: Pan Arabic religious social movement and group. Its brand of Islamic politics differs from the strict Salafi creed of Saudi Arabia. Considered a terrorist organisation by some Arab nations. Currently "under review" by major Western governments. | organisation | Muslim | Sunni | 4 | - | 2,000,000 | - | - | - | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brotherhood | |||||||||||||||
27 | Oman | OMAN: Moderate Islamic monarchy that pragmatically avoids trouble. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | Ibadhi | 3 | 309,501 | 2,773,479 | $76.00 | $24,764 | 0.32% | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Oman | ||||||||||||||
28 | Pakistan | PAKISTAN: Nuclear state with close ties to the US | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | 796,095 | 182,490,721 | $514.56 | $2,960 | 0.03% | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Pakistan_relations | |||||||||||||||
29 | Islamic Jihad | ISLAMIC JIHAD: Full name: "Palestinian Islamic Jihad" - an terrorist organisation opposed to the state of Israel, funded by Iran | organisation | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | - | >1,000 | - | - | - | operating in West Bank & Gaza strip | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Jihad_Movement_in_Palestine | ||||||||||||||
30 | State of Palestine | STATE OF PALESTINE: After prolonged conflict, Fatah and Hamas formed a unity government under Mahmoud Abbas to unite the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a single State of Palestine (recognised by the UN in 2012) | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | 6,220 | 4,260,636 | $11.95 | $2,900 | 0 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_territories | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Palestine | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_Palestine_Liberation_Organization#Bilateral_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine%E2%80%93United_States_relations | ||||||||||||
31 | Qatar | QATAR: Tiny, oil rich state, notable for directly and indirectly sponsoring Islamist groups, especially in the Syrian Civil War. Home of Al Jazeera. Location of the 2018 Football World Cup. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 4 | 11,586 | 2,042,444 | $191.00 | $103,900 | 1.67% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/qa.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Qatar | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar%E2%80%93United_Arab_Emirates_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Qatar_relations | ||||||||||||
32 | Russia | RUSSIA: Substantial arms contracts in the Middle East. 13% of its sales going to government forces in Syria. | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 4 | 17,098,242 | 142,500,482 | $2,555.00 | $18,000 | 3.92% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_and_the_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_conflict | ||||||||||||||
33 | Saudi Arabia | SAUDI ARABIA: Regional superpower, religious, political, economic. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 6 | 2,149,690 | 26,939,583 | $921.70 | $31,800 | 17.27% | http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/world/middleeast/06wikileaks-financing.html | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Saudi_Arabia_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Saudi_Arabia#West_Asia_and_North_Africa | ||||||||||||
34 | Syria | SYRIA: Increasingly isolated nation after brutal putdown of protests during Arab Spring resulted in civil war | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | 186,475 | 22,530,746 | $59.96 | $2,802 | 0.16% | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Syria | http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/world/middleeast/syrias-oil-a-source-of-contention-for-competing-groups.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 | http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/29/world/meast/syria-iran-china-russia-supporters/index.html | http://www.cfr.org/syria/syrias-crisis-global-response/p28402#p4 | ||||||||||||
35 | Syrian "rebels" | SYRIAN "REBELS": Umbrella term for mainstream groups opposing the Assad government in Syria. | groups and individuals | Muslim | - | 1 | - | 106,000 (conservative estimate) | - | - | - | http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/security/report/2013/05/14/63221/the-structure-and-organization-of-the-syrian-opposition/ | |||||||||||||||
36 | Taliban | group | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | - | 36,000 | - | - | - | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taliban#International_relations | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22980892 | |||||||||||||||
37 | Turkey | TURKEY: Sunni nation has many cultural and historical ties with Middle Eastern states. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 5 | 783,562 | 80,694,485 | $1,142.00 | $15,200 | 0.02% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Turkey | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey%E2%80%93United_States_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait%E2%80%93Turkey_relations | ||||||||||||
38 | UAE | UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Federation of several authoritarian emirates with Dubai as its most famous. Important economic centre. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 3 | 83,600 | 5,473,972 | $275.80 | $49,800 | 6.38% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates | ||||||||||||||
39 | UK | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 4 | 243,610 | 63,395,574 | $2,375.00 | $37,500 | 0.18% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_United_Kingdom | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations | |||||||||||
40 | USA | nation | Non-Muslim | - | 8 | 9,826,675 | 316,668,567 | $15,940.00 | $50,700 | 1.35% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab%E2%80%93American_relations | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia%E2%80%93United_States_relations#Post_9.2F11_relationship_with_the_United_States | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93United_States_relations | |||||||||||||
41 | West Bank | WEST BANK: Region of the State of Palestine governed by Fatah. | occupied territory | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | 5,860 | 2,622,544 | - | - | - | forms the bulk of the Palestinian territories | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_bank | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Palestinian_territories#Demographics_of_the_West_Bank | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/we.html | ||||||||||||
42 | Yemen | YEMEN: Troubled and unstable region struggling against militant factions and an Al-Qaeda style insurgency. | nation | Muslim | Sunni | 2 | 527,968 | 25,408,288 | $60.06 | $2,300 | 0.19% | https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ym.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Yemen | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations |