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The Modern Middle East: A Political History since the First World War
Since it was first published in 2006, this concise overview of the making of the contemporary Middle East has become essential reading for students and general readers who want to gain a better understanding of this diverse region. Writing for a wide audience, Mehran Kamrava takes us from fall of the Ottoman Empire to today, exploring along the way such central issues as the dynamics of economic development, authoritarian endurance, and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. For this new, thoroughly revised edition, he has brought the book fully up to date by incorporating events and issues of the past few years. The Modern Middle East now includes information about the June 2009 Iranian presidential elections and their aftermath, changes precipitated so far by the Obama administration, Israel’s attack on Gaza in 2008, the effects of globalization on economic development, and more.
536 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 21, 2020
I read this book for a Middle East History Through Film class at my college. My understanding of modern Middle East history is surface level in general, although there are a few topics, such as the later discussed Israel-Palestine conflict or the Armenian Genocide which I am more familiar with.
Simply as a rough educational introduction to the region and its history since the Great War, this book works fine. I really enjoyed the first quarter of it, as it was filling in a ton of detail I had not learned about before. Not far after however some major issues became prevalent. The first and most common issue is the language depicting the Israel-Palestine conflict. An entire section of the book is dedicated to this conflict due to its effects on the entire region, however the author still struggles with painting the history in a way which condemns the violence and terrorism on both sides but also making clear that there is a MAJOR power imbalance. The Palestinian suicide bombings are horrific, however there is still not a single point in the conflict where the Palestinian civilian causalities at the hands of the IDF don't dwarf the terror attacks. Understandably this is a very difficult balance to get in writing, however Kamrava too often places disproportionate blame on Palestinians for the continuation of the violence given they have had a nuclear-equipped boot on their neck for the past fifty years. Again, the violence is not equal either. The daily killing, harassment, property destruction, and bureaucratic alienating of the Palestinian population within the occupied territories is a piece of the puzzle which should be at the forfront of "the blame game", but too often Kamrava puts this to the side to make "both sides" demands for peace.
The second and MUCH less forgivable issue is Kamrava's depiction of the Armenian Genocide, or the "Armenian Tragedy" as he refers to it. At no point is it referred to as a genocide, and their deaths are worded on page 72 of the textbook as being “the tragic consequence” of being forcibly relocated, and not a planned ethnic massacre as has been proved many times over.<1, 2> There is a long history of white washing the genocide out of existence, primarily spurred by a fear of retaliation by the Turkish government. For decades the survivors and their families who moved to the United States lobbied for the US government to make a public statement in recognition of the Genocide, with mixed to terrible results due to the fear of political retaliation from Turkey. Famously Clinton, Bush, and Obama all did verbal gymnastics in their speeches on the anniversary of the Genocide to avoid using the specific word. Embarrassingly, it has only been during the Trump presidency that the Senate finally passed a bill recognizing it. <3> Anyway, all of this is just to explain my extreme disappointment at Kamrava's decision to perhaps hold a publishing possibility in Turkey over covering the worst genocide before the Holocaust in a way which gives its victims justice.
1. "A Letter from The International Association of Genocide Scholars" (PDF). Genocide Watch. 13 June 2005.
2. Bryce, Viscount James; Toynbee, Arnold (2000), Sarafian, Ara (ed.), The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915–1916: Documents Presented to Viscount Grey of Falloden (uncensored ed.), Princeton, NJ: Gomidas, pp. 635–49, ISBN 0-9535191-5-5
3. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...
Simply as a rough educational introduction to the region and its history since the Great War, this book works fine. I really enjoyed the first quarter of it, as it was filling in a ton of detail I had not learned about before. Not far after however some major issues became prevalent. The first and most common issue is the language depicting the Israel-Palestine conflict. An entire section of the book is dedicated to this conflict due to its effects on the entire region, however the author still struggles with painting the history in a way which condemns the violence and terrorism on both sides but also making clear that there is a MAJOR power imbalance. The Palestinian suicide bombings are horrific, however there is still not a single point in the conflict where the Palestinian civilian causalities at the hands of the IDF don't dwarf the terror attacks. Understandably this is a very difficult balance to get in writing, however Kamrava too often places disproportionate blame on Palestinians for the continuation of the violence given they have had a nuclear-equipped boot on their neck for the past fifty years. Again, the violence is not equal either. The daily killing, harassment, property destruction, and bureaucratic alienating of the Palestinian population within the occupied territories is a piece of the puzzle which should be at the forfront of "the blame game", but too often Kamrava puts this to the side to make "both sides" demands for peace.
The second and MUCH less forgivable issue is Kamrava's depiction of the Armenian Genocide, or the "Armenian Tragedy" as he refers to it. At no point is it referred to as a genocide, and their deaths are worded on page 72 of the textbook as being “the tragic consequence” of being forcibly relocated, and not a planned ethnic massacre as has been proved many times over.<1, 2> There is a long history of white washing the genocide out of existence, primarily spurred by a fear of retaliation by the Turkish government. For decades the survivors and their families who moved to the United States lobbied for the US government to make a public statement in recognition of the Genocide, with mixed to terrible results due to the fear of political retaliation from Turkey. Famously Clinton, Bush, and Obama all did verbal gymnastics in their speeches on the anniversary of the Genocide to avoid using the specific word. Embarrassingly, it has only been during the Trump presidency that the Senate finally passed a bill recognizing it. <3> Anyway, all of this is just to explain my extreme disappointment at Kamrava's decision to perhaps hold a publishing possibility in Turkey over covering the worst genocide before the Holocaust in a way which gives its victims justice.
1. "A Letter from The International Association of Genocide Scholars" (PDF). Genocide Watch. 13 June 2005.
2. Bryce, Viscount James; Toynbee, Arnold (2000), Sarafian, Ara (ed.), The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915–1916: Documents Presented to Viscount Grey of Falloden (uncensored ed.), Princeton, NJ: Gomidas, pp. 635–49, ISBN 0-9535191-5-5
3. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...
June 21, 2011
I haven't read many non-fiction books, but these past few months I decided I needed to enter that room and not be afraid. A friend of mine recommended this book and I'm glad I took his advice. It provides a very good and reader-friendly introduction to the Middle East. It doesn't read too much like a history book. In fact, some chapters read more like a short story. I recommend it.
February 23, 2012
the analysis in the book is excellent .
the book is an introduction because there are lots of things not mentioned.(although the author apologies for that in the introduction)
and i just felt like he was trying to put so much in the book sometimes it gets chaotic
the book is an introduction because there are lots of things not mentioned.(although the author apologies for that in the introduction)
and i just felt like he was trying to put so much in the book sometimes it gets chaotic
November 11, 2015
I have to say, before reading this book I had a diminished knowledge on the history behind so many conflicts in the middle east. This book was very informative and helpful especially for those who are looking for explanations to what is happening in the world surrounding us
January 18, 2020
Before I read this book, my impression of the Middle East was: a region with complex issues and continual chaos. After finishing the book my impression of the Middle East is: a region with VERY complex issues and VERY chaotic.
The author describes a region that is not easily defined by generalizations but rather is a swirling vortex of strongmen, tyrants, religious strife, lack of democratic institutions, refugees, discrimination, war, lack of natural resources other than oil (which is not uniformly distributed ), corruption, limited job opportunities, lack of economic investment, nationalism, citizen repression, terrorism, pollution, military coups, and state controlled economies. Throw in super power involvement, first during the Cold war, and now to protect European oil supplies and the survival of Israel and you have a diaspora.
Anyone born in the United States of America should count his blessings for our system of government and relatively unfettered capitalism.
The author tries to leave the reader with hope at the end of his history, but I am left with nothing but despair for the peoples of the Middle East.
The author describes a region that is not easily defined by generalizations but rather is a swirling vortex of strongmen, tyrants, religious strife, lack of democratic institutions, refugees, discrimination, war, lack of natural resources other than oil (which is not uniformly distributed ), corruption, limited job opportunities, lack of economic investment, nationalism, citizen repression, terrorism, pollution, military coups, and state controlled economies. Throw in super power involvement, first during the Cold war, and now to protect European oil supplies and the survival of Israel and you have a diaspora.
Anyone born in the United States of America should count his blessings for our system of government and relatively unfettered capitalism.
The author tries to leave the reader with hope at the end of his history, but I am left with nothing but despair for the peoples of the Middle East.
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January 24, 2024I was assigned this book when I was studying in the honors international relations program at NYU. I picked it up again now given what’s going on in the world today. I really wanted to ground myself in a more comprehensive understanding of the whole region and that is what Kamrava’s overview does well. It felt good to engage with what’s happening through a measured and balanced account published a few years ago as opposed to clicking through the hot headlines coming out daily. By the end, I really appreciated Kamrava’s guidance in understanding the complexities of the historical and contemporary issues facing this region. I feel equipped with a wider, more sober framework that I can use as a ground for processing what is happening in our current time.
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October 31, 2022not a fan, helpful to understand the ME a little more, but one's reading should not be limited just to this
January 1, 2018
Growing up a Pakistani,the events occurring in Middle East have always been a contentious and a continuous source of debate in our society. Due to the political connections in general and the religious connections in particular, whatever happens throughout Middle East, has considerable reverberations in Pakistan. Despite those close connections, surprisingly, the knowledge of the history of Middle East is not common.
Back in school when we were taught the history of the subcontinent, there was a brief mention of the First World War and how the Treaty of Sevres divided the Ottoman Empire. In response to that, a politically charged Khilafat Movement (for the restoration of the Empire) was initiated throughout British India in 1919. Though the movement failed miserably yet it is considered a very important political event in the history of Pakistan. So naturally, it always intrigued me to know about the region's history as well as the events that made up the present Middle East.
When i took up reading this book, I was aware of the important events in recent history of the Middle East but knew very little about the actual history (the historical make-up) of the region. After reading the book, I can say that every topic, every event that I expected, was mentioned in the book in quite satisfying details.
The fact that I liked most about this book is that the author has delineated the history of the region in a detailed and a professionally unbiased manner. The book explains all the significant historical events in comprehensible details without boring the reader. The way in which all those historical details are shortened-without missing any significant event-is really commendable. After providing the ancient as well contemporary history of the region, the author gives details about the problems that the region faces in present times.
The only regret I have after reading this book is that I did not read it earlier :)
Back in school when we were taught the history of the subcontinent, there was a brief mention of the First World War and how the Treaty of Sevres divided the Ottoman Empire. In response to that, a politically charged Khilafat Movement (for the restoration of the Empire) was initiated throughout British India in 1919. Though the movement failed miserably yet it is considered a very important political event in the history of Pakistan. So naturally, it always intrigued me to know about the region's history as well as the events that made up the present Middle East.
When i took up reading this book, I was aware of the important events in recent history of the Middle East but knew very little about the actual history (the historical make-up) of the region. After reading the book, I can say that every topic, every event that I expected, was mentioned in the book in quite satisfying details.
The fact that I liked most about this book is that the author has delineated the history of the region in a detailed and a professionally unbiased manner. The book explains all the significant historical events in comprehensible details without boring the reader. The way in which all those historical details are shortened-without missing any significant event-is really commendable. After providing the ancient as well contemporary history of the region, the author gives details about the problems that the region faces in present times.
The only regret I have after reading this book is that I did not read it earlier :)
February 10, 2013
The title is misleading because @ the beginning of the book he delves into the foundations of Islam and the schism that occurred after Mohammed's death. He briefly touches on the interim period between then and the early 20th century as the title suggests. This is very much a scholarly work and he does a great job of just laying the facts out on the page with little to no opinion on events.
August 3, 2012
excellent reference point for anyone needing to know what the trues issues are in the middle east. Clear, understandable writing from the beginning of the o ottoman empire to the present. Last few chapters were a bit beyond my scope or interest level but glad I read them.
December 12, 2007
Lots of interesting information, but presented in a kinda dry standard history book kind of way.
July 2, 2011
very informative and readable history of the middle east after WW1
June 23, 2016
Gripping narration!!an islam point of view(well,true to my senses) well putforth
December 5, 2008
This is being used as a textbook. It is dense, but provides an excellent history.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews