Provides a research facility of international status, complementing the Library’s other holdings on the Middle East (which can be traced through the University OPAC (see separate entry)). The Unit was founded in 1970, and its central purpose is to monitor current economic, social and political developments in the region. All the countries of the Arab world are covered together with Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Malta, Pakistan and Turkey. The holdings, which amount to over 200,000 publications most of which are unobtainable through normal channels, include: official government reports and statistical publications; reports from banks, chambers of commerce, trade unions, political parties, publications from major regional organisations and international agencies working in the region; reports on the region by leading academic authors. There is good coverage of basic documentary material from the early 1960’s onwards. Much of the material is in the original language (Arabic, Turkish, Persian, or Hebrew), though many documents are also published in English or French translation. Every effort is made to keep abreast of new developments and to obtain primary documents as soon as possible after the date of publication. Coverage: material catalogued since 1980. Material on this database is not currently listed on the Durham University Library Catalogue. [Abstract from MEDUSA]