Category Archives: Middle East

Book Review: Iran Rising

Posted on February 22, 2024 by nathanalbright

Iran Rising: The Survival And Future Of The Islamic Republic, by Amin Saikal For some people, at least, the continued survival of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the face of the frequent opposition of its population to the rule … Continue reading →

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A Crisis In Search Of An Explanation

Posted on January 19, 2024 by nathanalbright

What does Iran want? When twice within the course of a week a nation manages to provoke difficulties on two fronts, it is fair to wonder what sort of conditions are leading a nation’s leaders to engage in what others may … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Six Days

Posted on December 22, 2023 by nathanalbright

Six Days: How The 1967 War Shaped The Middle East, by Jeremy Bowen So long as this book is talking about the action of the Six Days’ War (known as the June War by its Arab losers), the book is a … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Black Wave

Posted on December 13, 2023 by nathanalbright

Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, And The Forty-Year Rivalry Unraveled Culture, Religion, And Collective Memory In The Middle East, by Kim Ghattas It is important to remember that the author is a leftist who thinks of herself as a centrist and … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Opposing Viewpoints: The Middle East

Posted on December 8, 2023 by nathanalbright

Opposing Viewpoints: The Middle East, edited by David M. Haugen, Susan Musser, and Kacy Lovelace As someone who is a fan of the Opposing Viewpoints, I have long enjoyed the way that this particular series gives different viewpoints that can … Continue reading →

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Take No Prisoners, Only Kill

Posted on October 14, 2023 by nathanalbright

The 2003 single “Peacekeeper” by Fleetwood Mac is, to date, their most recent entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, written by Lindsey Buckingham, was widely considered to be an anti-war song somewhat critical of the American efforts against … Continue reading →

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Near Abroads

Posted on August 10, 2023 by nathanalbright

At least at the present-time, and for the past few decades as well, Russia (by any name) has been ridiculed for its desire to secure its own security by dominating its near-abroad. With a core region in the far expanse … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Geography, Government, And Conflict Across The Middle East

Posted on July 27, 2023 by nathanalbright

Geography, Government, And Conflict Across The Middle East, by Bridey Heing One thing that must be understood about this book is that it is both very broad in defining the Middle East as including the countries from Iran to Morocco … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia In Pictures

Posted on February 22, 2023 by nathanalbright

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia In Pictures, by the Saudi Arabia Ministry Of Culture And Information It is not always clear what audience a book is aimed at, and this is the case here. This particular book is mostly made … Continue reading →

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Book Review: In Distant Lands

Posted on December 22, 2020 by nathanalbright

In Distant Lands: A Brief History Of The Crusades, by Lars Brownworth What this book offers is mainly a short narrative history of the Crusades. Given that depending on one’s count there are either eight or nine crusades, to cover … Continue reading →

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