The United States started paying more attention to the Middle East after World War II. This led to important changes in how the U.S. viewed the region, affecting its security and economy. The U.S. has made significant decisions in the Middle East, like dealing with the Cold War, Arab and Iranian nationalism, and conflicts like the Arab-Israeli issue. The U.S. also got involved in wars in Iraq. The book "Crisis and Crossfire" looks at these events and why the U.S. made certain choices. It helps students and anyone interested in understanding U.S.-Middle East relations.