The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

David Long (Author), Bernard Reich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2002

Rapid social, economic, and political change is endemic to the Middle East and is often more revolutionary than evolutionary in nature. In many ways, the entire political landscape of the Middle East has been transformed in the past decade in the realm of both international relations and domestic politics: The collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the cold war, and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait have all had a profound effect on relations among states within the region and between those states and countries outside the region.In this revised edition, Long and Reich provide comprehensive and up-to-date analyses of many critical contemporary events and issues. The contributors explain how Desert Storm isolated Iraq and brought Syria back into the mainstream of Arab politics, contributing to the revival of the Arab-Israeli peace process. They also show how the return of a Labor government in Israel has allowed the peace process to go forward. Evaluating the economic costs of the Kuwait war and the continuing oil glut, the authors find that resulting changes in the domestic economies of the oil-producing states have created additional pressures for social and political change. The most profound change in government and politics, however, is the rise of Islam as the idiom of political discourse among moderates as well as extremists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Comprehensive in scope and clear in style." -- -James Piscartori, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

About the Author

David E. Long is a consultant on the Middle East and counterterrorism. He is retired from the U.S. Foreign Service and has taught and lectured extensively on Middle Eastern subjects. He is the author of The United States and Saudi Arabia: Ambivalent Allies (Westview, 1985) and The Anatomy of Terrorism (1990). Bernard Reichis Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He is a member of the Board of Advisory Editors of the Middle East Journal and of the International Editorial Board of Israel Affairs. He is the author of Quest for Peace: United States-Israel Relations and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, The United States and Israel: Influence in the Special Relationship, Israel: Land of Tradition and Conflict, Historical Dictionary of Israel, Securing the Covenant: United States-Israel Relations After the Cold War, Arab-Israeli Conflict and Conciliation: A Documentary History, and of Political Dictionary of Israel as well as the author of numerous articles, book chapters and monographs on Middle East politics, international politics, and United States foreign policy. Bernard Reich is professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Gershon R. Kieval is senior analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency and adjunct professor at George Washington University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; 4th edition (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813339723
• ISBN-13: 978-0813339726
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,004,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Afr, November 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

I am writing in response to the one review by a reader from Staten Island. As I have read the previous editions of this book and several books by these authors I'm a bit upset with the review that is displayed... Especially since it is a review for the WRONG BOOK. Azzie Layachi which the reviewer cites as being "absent minded" IS NOT one of the authors of this book. Please take care to make sure reviews are correct and correspond to the book that is actually in review. Such negligence gives wrongful insight to others looking to purchase this book. Both Reich and Long are well know for their expertise, and their books have long been used in academia. For others to see a one star review due to the carelessness of one reader is unfortunate and unacceptable. (please note the four star review is from reading the previous editions- I have not yet read this one but it was on route to purchasing that I stumbled upon said incorrect review.)

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, January 16, 2012

By 

Annie Rocha - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (Paperback)

Awesome Delivery! It can right on time and in perfect condition. Can't wait to start reading it! It was very new and it was well packaged.

0 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Layachi is at is again!, October 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

This book is an updated version of a previously released book which I already rated as completely awful. I totaly dislike thsi book for many reasons, I feel Layachi is trying to push an agenda through thsi book. It is dry and boring, It serves no other use that to be used to hold a door in St. John's University Hallway open. Brought to you from the absent minded professor Azzie Layachi, a man that can't teach Poli Sci to say the least, but publishes books that are better used for toliet paper. Like in the previous editions he rambles for chapters about north Africa and how the US is treating it, well Mr. Layachi ask yourself what can I do to improve my books (and teaching) instead of lashing out with your anti-US sentiment. I think we should give up before the next 5th Edition comes into the works? I say get a refrence book on the region it will serve you better.