Ben is interested in the modern Middle East in particular and the formation of nationalist movements, colonialism, post-colonial struggles, religion, culture, politics, and history.  In particular I have an acute affinity for learning about the Kurdish struggle for statehood as well as the Israel-Palestine/Arab impasse, and I'd like to broaden my knowledge about the early years of Arab nationalism and how it positively and negatively affected ethnic, religious, and class minorities. @answrthekweskin