Algeria: The Next Fundamentalist State? [Paperback]

Graham E. Fuller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1996

Theorizes on the political future of Algeria and the likely rise of an Islamist regime.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Americans aren't terribly interested in Algeria. It's a former French colony and American nationals have not been the objects of violence there. But we should be. Vietnam was an uninteresting former French colony until 1954, and the U.S. has very real interests in the Middle East. Lay readers interested in contemporary Algeria have been largely out of luck, as most available books are out-of-date, unreadable or excruciatingly expensive. Fuller's report (prepared for the U.S. Navy) is none of these. In clear prose, he details the history of Algeria's colonial struggle, the emergence of the National Liberation Front (FLN) and of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). Like other Islamist organizations, the FIS has grown in power through grassroots social programs and pulpit propaganda, finally winning a plurality in the parliamentary elections of 1991. But those elections were annulled in January 1992 by a military junta that took over the government, and the FIS and more radical Islamist organizations like the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) stepped up the violence, which has left some 50,000 dead to date. Fuller does make some useful comparisons between the situation in Algeria and that in the two Islamist governments in the Middle East (Iran and Sudan) and Egypt, which is facing its own similar struggle. Strangely, there is almost no mention of Turkey's Welfare party, which would seem the best example of a party with strong religious ties coming to power through election. Fuller argues for treating the FIS (and other Islamist parties) as legitimate parts of the democratic process. They are players and, if brought into power by elections, are more likely to be willing to leave if voted out of office later.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Algeria is one of the largest and most important states in the Arab world and is caught in a brutal civil conflict that can only be resolved by the establishment of a legitimate government through parliamentary elections. But the current ruling military junta is determined to reject elections as long as the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS in French) has a chance of gaining a dominant voice in government. In the interests of reconciling these two forces, bringing an end to the violence, and stemming the rise of any radical groups, the West must ensure that a democratic government is established. G. E. Fuller speculates on the political future of Algeria, outlining the political and social policies an Islamic regime is likely to enact and suggesting steps the United States and the West can take to encourage a democratic restoration in Algeria. Thousands have died, and more continue to die every month, in an undeclared civil war between the military and the Islamic rebellion. Algeria: The Next Fundamentalist State? is an important contribution toward our understanding of the issues and political forces involved, and how they can (and do) affect the United States and Western Europe. -- Midwest Book Review

An important contribution toward our understanding of the issues and political forces involved, and how they can (and do) affect the United States and Western Europe. -- Midwest Book Review

An important contribution toward our understanding of the issues and political forces involved. -- The Midwest Book Review

Fuller deals with a subject of international importance. -- African Armed Forces Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Rand Publishing (September 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083302387X
• ISBN-13: 978-0833023872
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,328,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Graham E. Fuller is a former vice chairman of the National Intelligence Council at the CIA, a former senior political scientist at RAND, and a current adjunct professor of history at Simon Fraser University. He is the author of numerous books about the Middle East, including The Future of Political Islam. He has lived and worked in the Muslim world for nearly two decades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated information, December 25, 2002

By 

Anthony E. Langley (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algeria: The Next Fundamentalist State? (Paperback)

Graham E. Fuller has produced a great theoretical work that not only studies trends and developments in Algerian fundamentalism, but attempts to project those trends into the future. Though important trends are covered, this material is dated as it was written in the pre-Abdul Aziz Butaflika reconciliation and pre 9/11 period. Thankfully the worst of Fuller's predictions, another Iran at the mouth of the Mediterranean, hasn't come true (yet).
Note: Don't buy this if you are in the U.S. Military. It is a RAND product and you can get it for free. If you are not U.S. Military it is still a good read and worth the price.

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated information, December 25, 2002

By 

Anthony E. Langley (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algeria: The Next Fundamentalist State? (Paperback)

Graham E. Fuller has produced a great theoretical work that not only studies trends and developments in Algerian fundamentalism, but attempts to project those trends into the future. Though important trends are covered, this material is dated as it was written in the pre-Abdul Aziz Butaflika reconciliation and pre 9/11 period. Thankfully the worst of Fuller's predictions, another Iran at the mouth of the Mediterranean, hasn't come true (yet).
Note: Don't buy this if you are in the U.S. Military. It is a RAND product and you can get it for free. If you are not U.S. Military it is still a good read and worth the price.