Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East [Paperback]

Jonathan Cook (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0745327540 | ISBN-13: 978-0745327549 | Publication Date: January 20, 2008

Journalist Jonathan Cook explores Israel's key role in persuading the Bush administration to invade Iraq, as part of a plan to remake the Middle East, and their joint determination to isolate Iran and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons that might rival Israel's own.

This concise and clearly argued book makes the case that Israel's desire to be the sole regional power in the Middle East neatly chimes with Bush's objectives in the "war on terror". Examining a host of related issues, from the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians to the role of Big Oil and the demonization of the Arab world, Cook argues that the current chaos in the Middle East is the objective of the Bush administration---a policy that is equally beneficial to Israel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the most cogent understandings of the modern Middle East I have read. It is superb, because the author himself is a unique witness who blows away the media debris and presents both a j'accuse of those who would destroy the lives of whole societies in their pursuit of power and myth, and a warning to the rest of us to speak up and act. -- John Pilger, author of Freedom Next Time (2006) and The New Rulers of the World (2003) A compelling account of the recent wars for Middle East oil, untangling a complex web of interests shared by the neocons, Israel and the Bush White House. Cook's timely book raises disturbing questions about where Israel and the US hope to push the region next. -- David Hirst, author of The Gun and the Olive Branch (2003) American-Israeli relations have intrigued, occupied and preoccupied two generations of scholars and of politicians around the world. Which of the two is the contemporary Rome and which is the belligerent Sparta in the Middle East? Jonathan Cook's book undeniably enriches and elevates the debate. -- Afif Safieh, Palestinian Ambassador in Washington In this well-researched and very readable book, Nazareth-based journalist Jonathan Cook traces the developments of the last few decades that have led to the dangerous and deplorable state of affairs in the Middle East today. -- Sally Bland, Jordan Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Press (January 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745327540
• ISBN-13: 978-0745327549
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important to know about this point of view, April 15, 2008

By 

Samir Kassir "Sam" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East (Paperback)

Amidst the flood of neo-conservative diatribe, I found this book a refreshing attempt to present an oppressed viewpoint that has no place in the mainstream American media (in print or on screen). No matter how you turn it, there is merit that the Bush Administration would win hands down the title of being the most pro-Israel in US history. Whether by continuously pretending to championing a Palestinian state, paying lip-service to continued Israeli violations of international law since 1947, not doing something about the construction of an apartheid wall that eats up what remained of Palestinian territory, not lifting a hand about continued Israeli settlement of an increasingly shrinking Palestinian promised state, etc. One could be pro-Israel or anti-Israel, but one can only be blind to ignore the basic fact which has to do with the 60-year occupation of Palestinian land by Israel and the on-going attempts to take possession of the land. An occupation that does not differ at all from colonial settler occupations elsewhere in the world.

63 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Truth about the Middle East, March 25, 2008

By 

W. Bader (Buford, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East (Paperback)

If you are an objective reader and nither pro or anti-Israeli this work is a very good illumination about the role of America (through special policies towards Israel) in Middle East chaos and instability. It keeps Israel armed to the hilt with no meaningful desire for Peace. Another fantastic work on the subject is "The Israel Lobby" by Walt and Mersheimer- A MUST READ

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Israel,Linchpin of USA Imperialism, November 19, 2008

By 

John E. Brosseau "mid-East meddler" (Racine, WI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East (Paperback)

Jonathon Cook places the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the perspective
of Israeli and neo-con foreign policy. Of course, Iran is next on the
list. I see no reason why President-to-be Obama won't follow through,
even if he cuts our losses and gets out of Iraq. The tight links
between Israel and the neo-cons and between the neo-cons and the US
foreign policy establishment are laid out in detail.