Product Description
As Western powers attempt to redraw the map of the Middle East, Dan Smith uses his forensic skills to unravel this arena of confrontation and instability, from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. With customarily acute analysis, he highlights key issues and maps their global implications to explain why this region has become, and will remain, the focal point for international relations.
Updated Topics Include:
* Demographic data
* The Israel-Palestine situation
* The current war in Iraq
* The situation in Lebanon
* Refugees and migration
* Islam in the world
Copub: Myriad Editions ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Deep realities of the Mid East Struggles
This slim but definitive book was an absolute breakthrough in understanding what is really happening in the Mid East where our corporate media completely obscures and atomizes the material realities of what drives perpetual war in our times. Here, module by module, are the facts about water, transporation, ethnic histories, demographics, politics, ecological influences, financial competitions and the structure of the oil industry on the ground over which mayhem is strategiclally fomented.What is particularly wonderful is being able to focus on specific pieces of the mosaic of agendas and issues that are beautifully formatted for real ease of access and a sense of being able to master, at a rudimentary operational level, how to understand and simply share with others information that demystifies imperial politics and propaganda.Whatever one seeks to get basically informed, this piece of scholarly and essentialized research and exposition is in my opinion a must to simply feel oriented and possess a rational fraemework and vocabulary to have some stability and stance about the central dynamic of 20th and 21st Century human affairs.William Bronston, MD

An Essential Window into the World's Most Challenging Geography
FIRST: A very important note! As I file this review today, I see 2 other reviews on Amazon, both written in 2007. Those comments -- one praise and one criticism -- are NOT referring to this new edition released in late 2008.

With this new edition in print, I say:

Bravo to Dan Smith and the atlas gurus at the University of California Press. As a journalist specializing in covering religion and culture for leading U.S. newspapers formore than 30 years, I can tell you: It's volumes like this one that people should keep on their personal quick-reference shelves. That's especially true for preachers, teachers, small-group leaders, students -- and, really, anyone who cares about accurately understanding our turbulent world.

One sign of how much Smith and the University of California Press care about the accuracy of their work is the fact that this is a new Revised and Updated Second Edition of the book, coming quickly on the heels of the first. Smith is head of a UK-based peacemaking group International Alert. He has created other important reference works, including "The Atlas of War and Peace." The Press is publishing an entire series of innovative atlases. Among my own favorites are "The Atlas of Religion" and "The Atlas of Food: Who Eats What, Where, and Why."

Americans have the illusion in the early years of this new century that we carry the world in our pockets 24-7 with our ultra-connected electronic devices. But the truth is that "foreign news" is the most rapidly shrinking area of U.S. news coverage, overall, according to Pew data. What we see, hear and read is really a tiny slice of global news mostly about consumer products and popular culture, occasionally spiced with disconnected splashes of coverage from global hot spots. We wind up with bizarrely skewed impressions of the world -- and most of us sadly fail the basic geography tests that are popularly distributed each year. For example, most of us in America can't correctly place Iran on a global map.

In stark contrast to that challenge, this book is not only a source of useful wisdom -- but it's also downright fun! It's colorful. It's intriguing. You can build clever quizzes from this book to engage students.

Go on -- get it. And contribute to peacemaking simply by knowing a little more about our world.

Inferior to previous works by this author
Unfortunately, the care and attention to the maps that went into previous works by this author (I think here especially of his 1982 collaboration with Michael Kidron, "The War Atlas",) does not seem to have gone into this one.The maps have some glaring errors in them -- but apart from that, instead of letting the maps tell the story (as is done in "The War Atlas" and "The State of the World Atlas",) the author instead relies mostly on text to tell the story -- text that does not seem to have been extensively researched.I even noticed a few typographical errors in my copy.

This is probably useful as a starting point (and ONLY a starting point) for someone with absolutely no knowledge of the Middle East, but I wouldn't take any of the numbers offered here to the bank.

real, really,really good for buy
If you are interested in this theme buyed because is really good. ... Read more

Product Description
Fully updated fourth edition.

The Middle East is perhaps the most tumultuous area on earth, with ancient battles still being fought. This updated guide offers an intense look— through the lens of present-day knowledge—at current events and the everchanging political and social landscape, as well as the region’s history. And it addresses:

•The re-arming of Hezbollah
•Iran’s increased threat of acquiring nuclear weapons
•The odds of Palestinian unity in peace talks
•The evacuation from Gaza ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This Book is More of a Guide to Arab-Israeli Conflict
This book provides a good chronological guide to events related to the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The book has accurate information about dates with relevant summaries of important events such as the Balfour Declaration and the Camp David Accords.

The author seems to take a decidedly pro-Israeli stance towards most issues, often criticizing Arab leaders and western governments for being unfair to the Israelis and too pro-Arab. The book is littered with sidebars that represent the author's opinion which are often grossly inaccurate and clearly present a biased opinion.

Overall the book provides a good pro-Israeli viewpoint to the Arab Israeli conflict.
However, the book does not address any other source of conflict in the Middle East in any measure of detail. The author omits many prominent disputes that are paramount to a study of Middle East Conflict such as the rise of the House of Saud, the overthrow of the Shah, and the Iran-Iraq War to name a few.

Highly Informative and Accurate
Perfect for the subject.Well structured, accurate and informative.The only flaw I can see is that there seems not enough maps for better understanding on the area concerned.

Super-biased Pro-Israel rubbish
Bard must have gotten a great laugh when he swindled the contract for this book from the "For Dummies" people. It's absolute garbage, refuting what every other Middl East expert has to say. Buy it for AIPAC's opinion, but not for the truth. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Fantastic
A fantastic review of the history and perspectives of the Syria - Iran relationship.
Absolutely first rate and prequisite reading for the serious student of Middle East history, politics and international relations.

It makes for fascinating reading.

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Product Description
The breakup of the Soviet Union and the growing links between the Caucasus, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East have resulted in new strategic dynamics with far-reaching implications for the United States and other major powers. The authors examine the new geopolitics, with special emphasis on the interaction of the region's growing economic importance (especially as a source for oil and natural gas) and on the dramatic changes in military doctrine and technology that will radically change the nature of military conflict and the prospects for arms control. The book contains over 25 new maps of the region. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Dates but still good.
Stratefic Geography and the Changing Middle East came out in 1997 so some information about the region has changed since then but the book provides a sueful introduction into the issues of the middle east such as the importance of oil and gas in the region and these issues have influenced attempts to control the region. The book also focuses on military planning and operations such as the Gulf War andWeapons of mass destruction.

Dry But Worth the Effort
Obviously, this book is not fireside reading and should be seen more as a reference.

Nevertheless, as the authors argue, whatever theory of international relations you subscribe to--clash of civilizations, multipolarity, etc.--the Middle East remains square in the middle of it all and needs to be better understood by the average citizen. If Sept. 11 didn't drive that little lesson home, I don't know what will.

It was fascinating to see how the lay of the land shapes a region's history and even the attitudes of its residents. The book gives ample attention to not just topography, but climate, resources, migration, and how all these factors shape policy and the movement of armies.

Overall, this is a much needed book. There's a lot of data to plough through, but it's worth it. ... Read more

Product Description

Moderation theory describes the process through which radical political actors develop commitments to electoral competition, political pluralism, human rights, and rule of law and come to prefer negotiation, reconciliation, and electoral politics over provocation, confrontation, and contentious action. Revisiting this theory through an examination of two of the most prominent moderate Islamic political forces in recent history, Muslim Reformers in Iran and Turkey analyzes the gains made and methods implemented by the Reform Front in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Justice and Development Party in Turkey.

Both of these groups represent Muslim reformers who came into continual conflict with unelected adversaries who attempted to block their reformist agendas. Based on extensive field research in both locales, Muslim Reformers in Iran and Turkey argues that behavioral moderation as practiced by these groups may actually inhibit democratic progress. Political scientist GüneMurat Tezcür observes that the ability to implement conciliatory tactics, organize electoral parties, and make political compromises impeded democracy when pursued by the Reform Front and the Justice and Development Party. Challenging conventional wisdom, Tezcür's findings have broad implications for the dynamics of democratic progress.

Product Description
Perhaps the most critical period in the development of modern Middle Eartern politics occurred between the two world wars. Britain and France vied for influence and control in the region by making conflicting promises to the leaders of emergent Arab nationalism as well as to those bent on building a Jewish national home in Palestine. With the rise of Hitler, the area took on increased strategic importance for western democracies. This book examines the impact of great-power priorities on the region. ... Read more

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Examining globalization in the Middle East, this book provides a much needed assessment of the impact of globalization in the ‘greater’ Middle East, including North Africa, in the context of the powerful geopolitical forces at work in shaping the region today.

Written by a well-known authority in this area, this book demonstrates that, unlike in other regions, such as East Asia, geopolitics has been a critical factor in driving globalization in the Middle East. The author argues that whereas elsewhere globalisation has opened up the economy, society, culture and attitudes to the environment; in the Middle East it has had the opposite effect, with poor state formation, little interregional trade, foreign and interregional investment, and reassertion of traditional identities.

This book explores the impact of globalization on the polities, economies and social environment of the greater Middle East, in the context of the region’s position as the central site of global geopolitical competition at the start of the twenty-first century.

Customer Reviews (1)

Very good book from a prominent scientist.
An amazing book written by one of the most prominent IR scholars in the world. Ehteshami, edited many books and authored many articles and books' chapters, wrote this book from cover to cover. His work was impressive as he combines his deep knowledge of the historical and existing politico-economic structures of the Middle East with a smart anatomy of the globalization process/system. He focuses on highlighting the impact of globalization of the geopolitics of this chaotic region in the world. A book that adds true value to the available literature on IR of the middle east and IR theory. ... Read more

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America's most notable Middle East commentator imparts incisive views on peace, terrorism, and the continuing role of the United States in the regionCould the United States defeat Al-Qaeda but still lose the broader war on terrorism? In The Stakes, Shibley Telhami, one of America's most in-demand commentators on the Middle East, provides a concise and penetrating analysis that explains Arab and Muslim attitudes toward the United States and shows why there is much reason for concern. In an insightful, passionate, yet balanced analysis, Telhami shows why the Arab-Israeli conflict remains central to the war on terrorism and to international stability, and considers the consequences of a post-war Iraq: its effect on Middle Eastern politics and American foreign policy, the recovery of the region, and its future with the rest of the world. The Stakes provides a well-reasoned, calm analysis that will be essential reading for anyone who wonders where America should go from here, amid the dangers and opportunities in the ever-volatile Middle East. Updated with a new epilogue.

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Customer Reviews (3)

Fine product, slow shipping
Waited at least 2 weeks for the book to be shipped.Do not understand why it took so long. When I asked the seller why it took so long so I could write a fair review, I never received a response.

A very thoughtful book
Sure, America has a stake in the Middle East.And Telhami knows plenty about the region!And he has some good ideas for what we ought to do!And I actually have little idea what we ought to do.How can I have the nerve to give him only one star?

I'll tell you how.

The problem is this.The main issues in the region are truth and human rights.Now, Telhami does give Truth some respect.He shows that many people in the Middle East have a big problem with Truth.And he gives some examples.Unfortunately, he also gives Untruth equal respect.And he basically appears to recommend that the fight against human rights had better be given equal weight with the struggle to defend human rights.Or else!

And that's not enough.

Explains Arab and Muslim attitudes towards the U.S.
An Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland and a frequent contributor to TV, radio and print media, Shibley Telhami's cogent mideast political analysis is more accessible to the general public than most. One of the country's most in-demand commentators in the Middle East, his social and political analysis set forth in The Stakes: America In The Middle East clearly and persuasively explains Arab and Muslim attitudes towards the U.S. and why the Arab-Israeli conflict remains integral to resolving the war on terrorism.
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What is it about the history, geographical position and cultures of the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia that has made music such a potent and powerful agent? This volume presents the first direct look at the complex relationship between music and power across a range of musical genres and countries. Discourses of power in the region centre on some of the most contested social issues, most notably in relation to nationhood, gender and religion. Individual chapters examine the ways in which music serves as a forum for playing out issues of power, ideology, resistance and subversion. How does music become a space for promoting - or conversely, resisting or subverting - particular ideologies or positions of authority? How does it accrue symbolic power in ways that are very particular, perhaps unique? And how does music become a site of social control or, alternatively, a vehicle for agency and empowerment, at times overt and at others highly subtle? What is it about music that facilitates, and sometimes disrupts, the exercise and flows of power? Who controls such flows, how and for what purposes?In asking such questions in the context of countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Tunisia and Tajikistan, the book draws on a wide range of relevant theoretical and critical ideas, and many disciplines including ethnomusicology, anthropology, sociology, politics, Middle Eastern studies, globalization studies, gender studies and cultural and media studies. The countries and areas explored share a great deal in historical and cultural terms, including a legacy of colonial and neo-colonial encounters and predominantly Judeo-Muslim religious traditions. It is hoped that the volume will contribute ultimately to a richer understanding of the role that music plays in these societies. This book features music studies: ethnomusicology; cultural and media studies; middle eastern music; and, Asian music. ... Read more

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The recent rise of Berber identity politics in North Africa has proved difficult to explain. The 2001 riots amongst the Berber of Kabylia - apparently motivated by the desire for official recognition of the Berber language - exemplified this. Experts had long assumed that before the advent of the colonial state, Algeria's Berbers were a disparate collection of kinship groups, with no indigenous political traditions or collective identity. But as Hugh Roberts argues in this iconoclastic book, this view is based on flawed assumptions. For one thing, it overlooks pre-colonial political institutions such as the village assembly, the jem'a. Drawing on years of original research, Roberts offers the first comprehensive portrait of the social and political structures of pre-colonial Kaybylia. In doing so, he challenges the influential writings of Ernest Gellner, and offers a radically new way to understand the complexities of contemporary Algerian politics. ... Read more

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The Islamic Middle East is a rare, thought-provoking account of the origins, nature, and evolution of Islam that provides a historical perspective vital to understanding the contemporary Middle East. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Islam and Revolution in the Middle East
We are evaluating this book in my Anthropology "Religion, Culture and Politics" class. The author clearly states his intention and interjects universal conclusions as he goes along proving causation for revolution. He is clearer in some chapters than others. However, he accurately portrays events consisely and in the least bias way possible. ... Read more

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The policies and actions of revolutionary Iran continue to reverberate throughout the world. Now with a new epilogue on the Iranian-American arms deal. "Revolutionary Iran" is the most incisive account to date of the Khomeini regime's foreign policy and its impact on international affairs.

Despite its stridency. Iran has subtly and steadily moved toward a more pragmatic foreign policy. In the new epilogue, R. K. Ramazani probes the most striking manifestation of this tendency-- the secret arms-for-hostages dealings that formed Iran's "America initiative". He relates this initiative to Iran's factional domestic politics and its angry conflict with the United States in the Persian Gulf. "Revolutionary Iran" demands the attention of anyone concerned with American interests in the Middle East. ... Read more

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Packed with facts, figures and brilliantly informed background analysis, this is an indispensable, highly readable guide to the political conflicts in today's Middle East. Written by two experts on the region, The New A-Z of the Middle East is an up-to-date and much-needed handbook. It provides the vital keys required in understanding the various social, religious and economic trends, political events and personalities that have shaped its destiny. The book covers all the principal issues that have affected the region since the break-up of the Ottoman Empire. This revised edition takes into account recent developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as the current crisis in Iraq, reformist movements in Iran, and the status of political Islam throughout the region.
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Customer Reviews (3)

The best travle companion - ever
Found this book before a vacation trip to Lebanon, just before the war. It was super to have a book where you could look up different events/persons/organsiations/wars and such. Incredible! It gave me such insight of the country's history and all it has gone through. The trip was also grate except for the air strike that the Israelis launched against Beirut.A bit too much modern history, a bit to close.

Almost useless
This is not an 'a-z' of the Middle East, it is an a-z of the Arab-Israeli conflict and even in dealing with that it is biased, immature and weak reading.To give one example, in paraphrasing Nasser's life it says "the road that led to the seizure of power was a long one, marked at every stage by humiliation."This is not the way to write a short synopsis of a man's life, it is childish psuedo-scholarship and hagiography.

There is no mention in this book of noted minorities like the Bedouin or Christians or Druze.The sense of history is very weak.To give on example, the entry for Israel includes a half page diatribe about how the state is "false. Lies, rackets, speculations, fraud, string pulling, theft."In another paragraph the supposed informative entry states "the jewish state has sacrificed its chances of peace with the Palestinians and the Arab World.How can Israel fully take its place among the nations of the middle east rather than remaining a north American outpost in the region?"

Are quotes like that supposed to lead the reader to think that this is an encyclopedia of information of a propoganda pamphlet?In the section on Nasser their is no discussion of the Yemenite Civil war, where he sent tens of thousands of Egyptians to die.In the section on 'terrorism' there is an endless diatribe agains the "bush administration" and how "an honest government must admit that terrorism often highlights a legitimate grievance" and then there is no mention of Entebbe or the 1972 Olympics.

This whole read is disengenous.This is not informative or encyclopedic at all, itis desgined mostly as a primer for those who dislike Israel.Anyone looking for information, such as lists of leaders or policies or an actual history of the peoples in the region need look elsewhere.

Seth J. Frantzman

A terrific study
Over the last few years I've read about 20 books on the middle east - roughly 15 of them on the Arab-Israeli conflict, and I still found this book hugely informative.

I don't know did the authors plan this, but the book exhbits the perfect balance of breadth, depth, and concision. Plus it's all done in a very readable style. Readers new to the region's history will find all the Arab-Israeli wars fully explained; a profile of each major country; a special section on peace conferences, oil, foreign powers who have influenced the region; religions and ethnic groupings (Kurds, Druze etc) and all of the major historical (and current) figures profiled.

In addition, they have taken the trouble to profile some lesser-know figures (Issam Sartawi, for example); and some issues that do not have a *direct* bearing on the middle east (e.g, the Nazi genocide). Each entry is at least a page in length and the book is very up-to-date: the assault on Jenin gets an entire entry, for example, and Marwan Barghouti's jail sentence is dicusssed.

This is easily the best one-volume book on the region you can get at the moment - perfect if you're a novice to the middle east, still useful if you know the details. I'm honestly surprised that I'm the first to review it here. ... Read more

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Tribes and Power provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure, functioning, and change of today's Middle Eastern tribes. In some Middle Eastern countries, tribalism has been strengthened by centralized policies, modern technology, and the market economy. This stimulating collection scrutinizes the complexities of kinship structures in Arab and Islamic cultures, and contains case studies of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.
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