Customer Reviews

Syria, the United States, and the War on Terror in the Middle East (Praeger Security International)

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So much has been made of the Saudi connection to terrorism and 9/11 that Syria's role in influencing events in the Middle East has been somewhat overshadowed. As the cradle of Arab nationalism and the birthplace of the Ba'ath party, Syria has used its ideological and geographic position to influence events throughout the history of the modern Middle East. Given Syria's recent role in sheltering and nurturing Hamas' leadership and the likes of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi and the current allegations by Jordan that Hamas affiliated terrorists captured in the Kingdom were recruited and trained in Syria, this is a book that is both timely and makes a significant contribution to our understanding of today's Middle East. Rabil clearly explains the complex events that have led to the current state of U.S. - Syrian relations and discusses the future consequences of a Syria dominated by Islamic Fundamentalists if our policies do not change.

Rabil is a skillful historian and political analyst who has the rare ability to write at a scholarly level while making his material accessible to a general audience. You don't need to be a Middle East expert to appreciate the material presented here. Meticulously researched and written in a lively and captivating manner, there is much here for everyone from academicians and policy makers to those who just want to learn more about the Middle East. His review of the historical relationship between Syria and the U.S. and its effect on events in the Middle East is both comprehensive and engaging. Rabil brings out the various nuisances in this complex relationship and provides a strong basis for understanding today's (and future) events. If you are looking for partisan political analysis, then this is not the book for you. Rabil displays an evenhandedness that is all the more surprising considering that he served as chief of emergency with the Red Cross in Lebanon's Baabda district during Lebanon's civil war.

If you are interested in the complex currents that have influenced the events in the Middle East today or if you have a particular interest in Syria and its place in today's ongoing conflict then I highly recommend this book. And if you want to delve deeper, let me suggest that you read Rabil's other book - Embattled Neighbors: Syria, Israel, Lebanon.

The author makes a very clear case for a change in the United States' approach to Syria, in the context of the rise of fundamentalism and cross-border terrorism. Timely, nuanced, and thought-provoking.

This book gives the reader an understanding of why things are happening in Middle East and the strategy that Washington can take to face this threat

A must read for those of us who want to be current with the Middle East. A lot of information and analysis, this book is very friendly; It is no wonder that Dr. Rabil is an expert in the Middle East, particularly Syria, Lebanon and israel.
Definetely Dr. Rabil is NOT an apologetic for Islam as we are used to see in Academia in the US. He gives a balanced understanding of the current situation, as well as the dangers the West is facing. Certainly a must for students of Political Science and the "mavens in State Department"

Excellent book! Beneficial to both first time Middle East readers and those who already developed passion for this region. This complex political scene is explained with such ease and simplicity that it welcomes all readers.