Iran, Israel, and the Middle East Explained: Religion, Power, and the Roots of War

by Levi Kavan

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2026

About the author

Levi Kavan writes about economics, labor, and technology for readers who want real answers instead of slogans. His work draws on political economy, labor history, and the experiences of workers navigating systems designed to keep them too busy to ask uncomfortable questions.

Before writing full-time, Levi spent years in workplaces where he saw firsthand the gap between what economics textbooks promised and what actually showed up in people's paychecks. That experience convinced him the most important political ideas were being explained badly, or not at all.

He's the author of How To Be a Democratic Socialist, Democratic Socialism, Explained, and Managed by Machine. His writing has been called "rigorous but actually readable" by people who expected to be bored.

Levi lives in the Midwest, where he reads too much history, maintains an unnecessarily elaborate note-taking system, and remains cautiously optimistic that ordinary people can build something better than this.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle East Politics 101

Great overview. Puts information in context, but if you have a basic idea of the situation, and want a little more, this book is perfect for that.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

an incredibly clear and succinct explanation of so many complex themes! i feel like i learned so much through a very non-biased lens which was refreshing