I don't know much about the history of instabilities in the Middle East post WWII (I presume that's when a lot happened), and would like to understand how the interventions of the US or other foreign powers along with internal tribal struggles shaped the region into what it is today. What book or number of books would give me good coverage into understanding the situation? More specifically Afganistan, Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia more than the Palestine/Isreali conflict....

Edit: I'm guessing I should get a good understanding of Shiite/Sunni conflict also?