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Loading... Blowback : how the West fucked up the Middle East (2015)by Michael Lüders
   Top Five Books of 2016 (336) No current Talk conversations about this book.  Zare | Jan 23, 2024 |  no reviews | add a review
Wer den Wind sät, wird Sturm ernten - Michael Lüders beschreibt die westlichen Interventionen im Nahen und Mittleren Osten seit der Kolonialzeit und erklärt, was sie mit der aktuellen politischen Situation zu tun haben. Sein neues Buch liest sich wie ein Polit-Thriller - nur leider beschreibt es die Realität. Eine Geschichte erscheint in unterschiedlichem Licht, je nachdem, wo man beginnt sie zu erzählen. Und wir sind vergesslich. Das iranische Verhältnis zum Westen versteht nur, wer den von CIA und MI6 eingefädelten Sturz des demokratischen Ministerpräsidenten Mossadegh im Jahr 1953 berücksichtigt. Ohne den Irakkrieg von 2003 und die westliche Politik gegenüber Assad in Syrien lässt sich der Erfolg des "Islamischen Staates" nicht begreifen. Wer wissen will, wie in der Region alles mit allem zusammenhängt, der greife zu diesem Schwarzbuch der westlichen Politik im Orient. No library descriptions found. |
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Wikipedia in English
4
One thing to have in mind is that author is not taking any sides in the conflicts and is very pragmatic. For example he does not have high opinion of Syria's president Assad but he is aware that out of two evils so to speak - Assad's autocracy and ISIL's terror state - Assad is lesser evil under whom development in normal way can take place and bring fruit in the long run, without destruction and loss of life.
Starting from 1950's and putsch organized by CIA and MI6 that brought Shah to full power in Iran, author gives a very clear picture how Western powers (in area of North Africa and Middle East, US, UK and France especially) were constantly (re)molding states to suit their needs, no matter the consequences - be it long lasting wars or economic destruction.
I was very much surprised (although considering last few years that should not come as surprise) that every enemy encountered in the area was automatically demonized and [of course] declared as new H*** (you know, weird moustache man from the 1930s/1940s, in light of current freedoms of speech I think his name is not allowed :)). That remained practice even today.
Also surprising were statements from Israeli government (official statements mind you) during the latest clashes with Palestinian forces. Very, very weird statements, disturbing even if I might say.
Very interesting book, with rather enlightening exposes when it comes to EU, Germany especially, and the way wars in the Middle East and Northern Africa are observed, what makes one state good and what makes them "irrational, crazy, terrorist etc etc" from the Western perspective. While Western countries are democracies for their own people, they are not democracy for the outside countries. They pursue their own interests and in these situations dictatorships, as long as they support West, are allowed and glorified (just look at Egypt, terrible, terrible, terrible).
Highly recommended to anyone interested in modern conflicts. (