Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present, Library Edition by Michael B. OrenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oren takes on a huge challenge with this book. Essentially, he gives a history of the US through its interactions with the Middle East. From the founding through the Civil War and then the World Wars, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, the US’s relationship with the Middle East provides essential context for developments in the US as well as in the world.
The main themes of the book are, first, that the US has always been involved in the Middle East and that this relationship is partly defining of much of how the US sees itself in the world. Second, that this relationship is a mix of hope and idealism for a greater peace and prosperity throughout the region but inevitably undermined, partly, by the US’s lack of real understanding of the Middle East. This leads to a constant wavering on policy and approaches. We see the same patterns play out from the Barbary Wars to the Gulf Wars to today’s Iran War.
The first part of the book deals with the early Republic and how the early conflicts with the Barbary States were, at least in part, the impetus for the need for and adoption of the Constitution. The Articles of Confederation did not give the national government the capacity to respond to this threat and the new Constitution would and did (in the eventual Barbary Wars). It also shows the differences that remain to this day in the way that the US and European powers tended to deal with the Middle East.
The next part of the book looks at the way missionary and trade work in the Ottoman Empire brought “regular” Americans increasingly into contact with the peoples of the Middle East. It explores early Christian Zionism and the role that had in affect US policy. These interactions set up the mutual perceptions of each other as well as the foundations for later relationships. The US begins to flex its naval might at times in patterns that are repeated in (or at least rhyme with) contemporary conflicts. The focus then shifts into the way the US Civil War affected the Middle East, especially Egypt (as a cotton producer) and the US relations in the region.
The next part of the book explores the US involvement in the lead up to and fighting of the First World War. Wilson’s hope for self-determination for all peoples of the region was mixed with Wilson’s ineffectiveness at the negotiating table. Because the US didn’t join the war against the Ottomans, they ended up having little say in what happened in its dissolution. This of course sets up much of the later conflicts in the region through the mandate system, new states that are formed, and the local perception of the Western powers.
The next part of the book deals with the WW2 and post war situation: this explores the unstable admixture of realpolitik and idealism of US foreign policy. The US relationships with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and other emerging countries – all colored by the Cold War.
The last part of the book sort of speed runs through contemporary history. As the author notes, there is little new to add. While the first part of the book provides insight and analysis that is novel and underexplored, this part is well-trodden by hundreds of books. So the author is trying to provide more context rather than any new analysis. Much of this to show how the early patterns repeat again and again.
Overall, though at times the book might have dragged as it dives into little details, it is an excellent book. It is well-researched, unbiased, in-depth, and explores parts of US and Middle East history that are not well-known and not well appreciated. For anyone thinking about trying to understand the current events in relation to the Middle East, it is essential.
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