The Strong Horse: Power, Politics, and the Clash of Arab Civilizations Contributor(s): Smith, Lee (Author) |
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ISBN: 0767921801 ISBN-13: 9780767921800 Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group OUR PRICE: $15.26 Product Type: Paperback Published: January 2011 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Political Science | International Relations - General - Political Science | World - General - History | Middle East - Egypt (see Also Ancient - Egypt) |
Dewey: 956.05 |
LCCN: 2011378358 |
Physical Information: 0.77" H x 5.16" W x 7.98" (0.6 lbs) 256 pages |
Themes: - Cultural Region - Middle East - Cultural Region - Arab World |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: In this provocative and timely book, Middle East expert Lee Smith overturns long-held Western myths and assumptions about the Arab world, offering advice for America's future success in the region. Seeking the motivation behind the September 11 attacks, Smith moved to Cairo, where he discovered that the standard explanation--a clash of East and West--was simply not the case. Middle East conflicts have little to do with Israel, the United States, or the West in general, but are endemic to the region. According to Smith's "Strong Horse Doctrine," the Arab world naturally aligns itself with strength, power, and violence. He argues that America must be the strong horse in order to reclaim its role there, and that only by understanding the nature of the region's ancient conflicts can we succeed. Smith details the three-decades-long relationship between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the United States, and gives a history of the Muslim Brotherhood, which would likely play an important role in the formation of a new government in Egypt. He also discusses Lebanon, where tipping the balance against Hezbollah in favor of pro-democracy, pro-US forces has become imperative, as a special tribunal investigates the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Eye-opening and in-depth, The Strong Horse is much needed background and perspective on today's headlines. |