The Middle East is probably the most troubled region on the planet. In this issue of the Revista Mexicana de Política Exterior, Mexico's bilateral relations with some of the main nations in the area are reviewed and the various levels of linkage reached in the political, economic, commercial and cultural spheres are pointed out; the armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is analysed, from various perspectives; elements based on Persian-Iranian history and culture are provided to motivate a more complete and objective understanding of contemporary Iran; se, analyzes attempts to rebuild Afghanistan; the international legal order is reflected on the "war against terrorism"; and the performance of Uruguay in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is described.