global organization, international organisation, international organization, world organisation, world organization - an international alliance involving many different countries

Algeria, Algerie, Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria - a republic in northwestern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea with a population that is predominantly Sunni Muslim; colonized by France in the 19th century but gained autonomy in the early 1960s

Afars and Issas, Republic of Djibouti, Djibouti - a country in northeastern Africa on the Somali peninsula; formerly under French control but became independent in 1997

State of Bahrain, Bahrain, Bahrein - an island country in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia; oil revenues funded progressive programs until reserves were exhausted in 1970s

Arab Republic of Egypt, Egypt, United Arab Republic - a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC

Al-Iraq, Irak, Iraq, Republic of Iraq - a republic in the Middle East in western Asia; the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia was in the area now known as Iraq; modern government is involved in state-sponsored terrorism

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Jordan - an Arab kingdom in southwestern Asia on the Red Sea

State of Kuwait, Koweit, Kuwait - an Arab kingdom in Asia on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf; a major source of petroleum

Lebanese Republic, Lebanon - an Asian republic at east end of Mediterranean

Libya, Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - a military dictatorship in northern Africa on the Mediterranean; consists almost entirely of desert; a major exporter of petroleum; involved in state-sponsored terrorism

Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mauritania, Mauritanie, Muritaniya - a country in northwestern Africa with a provisional military government; achieved independence from France in 1960; largely western Sahara Desert

Al-Magrib, Kingdom of Morocco, Maroc, Marruecos, Morocco - a kingdom (constitutional monarchy) in northwestern Africa with a largely Muslim population; achieved independence from France in 1956

Muscat and Oman, Oman, Sultanate of Oman - a strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula; the economy is dominated by oil

Katar, Qatar, State of Katar, State of Qatar - an Arab country on the peninsula of Qatar; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1971; the economy is dominated by oil

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia - an absolute monarchy occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula in southwest Asia; vast oil reserves dominate the economy

Somalia - a republic in extreme eastern Africa on the Somali Peninsula; subject to tribal warfare

Republic of the Sudan, Soudan, Sudan - a republic in northeastern Africa on the Red Sea; achieved independence from Egypt and the United Kingdom in 1956; involved in state-sponsored terrorism

Syria, Syrian Arab Republic - an Asian republic in the Middle East at the east end of the Mediterranean; site of some of the world's most ancient centers of civilization; involved in state-sponsored terrorism

Republic of Tunisia, Tunisia - a republic in northwestern Africa on the Mediterranean coast; achieved independence from France in 1956; "southern Tunisia is mostly desert"

United Arab Emirates - a federation of seven Arab emirates on the eastern Arabian peninsula; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1971; rich in oil reserves

Republic of Yemen, Yemen - a republic on the southwestern shores of the Arabian Peninsula on the Indian Ocean; formed in 1990