Examining any topic in the Middle East requires a general knowledge because of the region's complexity and dynamics. Important characteristics is the link of Islam and politics, because this relation shaped political establishment of states. The strategic location and rich natural resources of this part of the world were tempting also for the global superpowers whose engagement divided the Middle Eastern states, particularly during the Cold War. An analysis of the factors and events that led to the formation of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East is the goal of this work. Research will focus on alliances of Iran and its Shia allies on the one hand and Saudi Arabia with the rest of Sunni monarchies on the other. Unlike other alliances mentioned in the work, these two blocks have long term character. They are also specific because of sectarian differences, their stance towards the United States and Israel and shared responses to emerging threats. Historical development of Middle Eastern alliances begins with the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, continues with the both World wars, the Israeli-Arab conflict, the Islamic revolution in Iran and other milestones which were meaningful in shaping inter-state relations in the region. The modern period moves from invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to...

The master thesis Art Criticism of Ramses Younan focuses on text analysis of theoretical work by Egyptian painter and critic Ramses Younan which deals with the topics of art criticism and theory. It examines and analyzes main topics of his work and offers their interpretation in the art-history and art-theory contexts. It also discusses its meaning in the wider perspective of Egyptian modernity and modern art and its possible value for reevaluation of the art theory field in the Middle East. The paper consists of three main chapters and appendix. The appendix contains a collection of selected essays of the author, translated from Arabic to Slovak. The first chapter deals with the art- historical background of author's theoretical production. The second one concentrates around the text analysis. The third chapter presents critical reactions on author's work by theorists of different geographical and cultural background. It suggests different ways of reading and understanding of the cultural and art-history impact on the local and global modern art history.