Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East, 1789-1923
by Efraim Karsh
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Description
Empires of the Sand offers a bold and comprehensive reinterpretation of the struggle for mastery in the Middle East during the long nineteenth century (1789 ?1923). This book denies primacy to Western imperialism in the restructuring of the region and attributes equal responsibility to regional powers. Rejecting the view of modern Middle Eastern history as an offshoot of global power politics, the authors argue that the main impetus for the developments of this momentous period came from the show more local actors. Ottoman and Western imperial powers alike are implicated in a delicate balancing act of manipulation and intrigue in which they sought to exploit regional and world affairs to their greatest advantage. Backed by a wealth of archival sources, the authors refute the standard belief that Europe was responsible for the destruction of the Ottoman Empire and the region ?s political unity. Instead, they show how the Hashemites played a decisive role in shaping present Middle Eastern boundaries and in hastening the collapse of Ottoman rule. Similarly, local states and regimes had few qualms about seeking support and protection from the ?infidel ? powers they had vilified whenever their interests so required. Efraim and Inari Karsh see a pattern of pragmatic cooperation and conflict between the Middle East and the West during the past two centuries, rather than a ?clash of civilizations. ? Such a vision affords daringly new ways of viewing the Middle East ?s past as well as its volatile present. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Explains how we got from the Ottoman empire to the mess today. The authors emphasize that European countries really did not want to take it apart because of the consequences. A good map shows how logical the Middle East Arab world fit together under the Ottomans rather loose governing style. It anticipates in one sentence the problem of a single Iraq.
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The Emergence of the Modern Middle East
289 works; 13 members
Author Information
37+ Works 1,574 Members
Efraim Karsh is Professor and Head of the Mediterranean Studies Programme, King's College, University of London.
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1999
- Important places
- Middle East; Ottoman Empire; Syria; Egypt
- Dedication
- For Ro'i and Rachel
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 143
- Popularity
- 227,809
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.95)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
