Muqtada al-Sadr, a radical Shia cleric, has defined much of Shia politics since the US invasion of Iraq. How and why this young cleric managed to enthral and militarize a portion of the Shia population is addressed in Patrick Cockburn’s latest book. Although designed as a biography of Muqtada, this book is much more, providing insight on the history of Iraq’s politics and insight on its place in the region.
As governments slowly declare victory over the global financial crisis and turn their attention to the next battle—namely the one of fighting burgeoning public deficits—people are left as if dumbstruck, not knowing exactly what hit them. Andrew Ross Sorkin’s new book is an excellent account of the ins and outs of the events that hit the world economy in the first decade of the 21st century.
This informative sequel to the authors’ successful Freakonomics hit, is an interesting and engaging read. Although the subjects covered are original the innovation that made Freaknomics so successful was not as easily replicated in the sequel.
With styles and stories, Robert Lacey’s latest book brings to its readers great insight into the paradoxes that characterize Saudi society. In addressing its most controversial issues, Lacey manages to explain a country that is largely misunderstood by the rest of the world.
The Kingdom attempts to recast the subject of the politics and culture of Saudi Arabia under a new, less mystified light. The compilation manages to include articles that range from the transitional phases of Saudi society, to the regional position of the country. Yet, despite its aims and efforts, the book results in an unsatisfactory read for those looking for balanced, up-to-date, and coherent literature on Saudi Arabia.
Maass’ latest book is a forensic tour through the devastation wrought by an energy source that is in some ways as deadly as it is empowering. Maass apportions blame judiciously. He is tough on industry leaders like Exxon and British Petroleum, but he is equally hard on the state-owned oil companies that surged to power when populist leaders nationalized their energy sectors. Charming rogues, man-eating heads of state, Nigerian tribal kings waging low-intensity wars against oil-mad, aggrandizing regimes. Maass lays it all out with the crisp pace of a graphic novel.
Philip Robins takes on the challenge of introducing the Middle East in his latest book The Middle East: A Beginners’ Guide. Robins sheds light on a variety of issues that need to be taken into account in order to understand the current affairs of the region.
A book that studies probability not just as a science, but as a way of life that many fail to notice and make use of.
This book states that for the Gulf countries to be strong and productive the right decisions should made by the states as well as by individuals. This is especially relevant in the field of education.
Avi Shlaim’s book is an account of the military and personal life of King Hussein of Jordan, who throughout his long reign was a dominant figure in Middle East politics and a proponent of peace with Israel.
This book attempts to answer two main questions: how can we overcome the current crisis? And most importantly how can we prevent such crises from happening in the future?
Sunna and the Reform Process is primarily a philosophical book that sheds light on the Sunna and their process of reform. The book’s focus is not to persuade the reader with a particular argument. Instead, the author aims to allow historical evidence to speak for the resilience of Sunna for itself.
Despite having spent the latter parts of the ‘90s courting Europe, since 2009 Turkish attention, both politically and economically, has started to look East rather than West. Is this a sign that Turkey, grown tired of its role as the perpetual suitor of Europe, finds the position of regional leader more congenial?
Too many disruptive and unpromising events have been going on just before elections in Iraq, and the promise of a truly democratic state where the rule of law prevails seems grim. These elections will determine much of Iraq’s near future, not only the internal balance of power but also Iraq’s diplomatic relations with other Arab countries, with the US, and with Iran.
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This article reads pretty much as an attack by a pro-Israeli writer who is not happy hearing awkward ...
Enlightened at Mar 7, 2010 1:33 PM
The response level to national disaster is awesome but it's a real shame that so many people take ad ...
exalfungula at Mar 7, 2010 1:32 PM
Its a great article and it gives a warning to future investors to the region to take a more cautiou ...
SANJAY CHADHA at Mar 7, 2010 1:28 PM
Settling scores in a third country sets a dangerous precedence and can cause major aberrations to a ...
Nishthar Idroos at Mar 1, 2010 2:46 PM
Very interesting and informative. Well written. We are proud of you 'beta'.
Sajiv
Sajiv Sibal at Feb 27, 2010 8:18 PM
The so-called Quetta shura is led by deposed Taliban leader and Osama bin Laden ally, Mullah Omar, w ...
alex at Feb 24, 2010 10:06 PM
Thank you for the Majalla that provides us with insights and details about influential figures like ...
Salim Mahrous at Feb 24, 2010 10:04 PM
I disagree to some extent with the writer. Dubai crisis has had economic and political implications ...
Safiy Helal at Feb 24, 2010 9:59 PM
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