A choice of enemies : America confronts the Middle East / Lawrence Freedman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Freedman, Lawrence.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Middle East--Foreign relations--United States.

Middle East.

International relations.

United States.

United States--Foreign relations--Middle East.

United States--Politics and government--2001-2009.

Politics and government.

Afghan War, 2001-2021.

Iraq War, 2003-2011.

Physical Description:

xxviii, 601 pages : maps ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Public Affairs, [2008]

Summary:

The title A Choice of Enemies was initially meant to refer to another historical irony. I was struck by how the United States had managed to find itself in conflict at the same time with Iraq, Iran, and al Qaeda, all of which were antagonistic to each other. The more I looked back over the past three decades, the more appropriate the title seemed, but without any need for irony....

In its political relations with the Middle East, the United States often appears to be in an argument with itself, as a status quo power that wishes to change the status quo. This tension has added drama, and sometimes poignancy, as American presidents have made their choices.

Contents:

1 Choosing Enemies 1

2 The First Wave 18

Part 1 Jimmy Carter

3 Camp David 39

4 Revolution in Iran 62

5 Uprising in Afghanistan 84

Part 2 Ronald Reagan

6 The Mujahideen 109

7 In and Out of Beirut 122

8 Iraq 150

9 Iran-Contra 168

10 The Tanker War 192

Part 3 George H. W. Bush

11 Iraq Takes Kuwait 211

12 Desert Storm 234

13 Intifada 254

Part 4 William Clinton

14 Dual Containment 275

15 Return to Camp David 309

16 Choosing America 341

Part 5 George W. Bush

17 The War on Terror 373

18 Regime Change 397

19 Insurgency 423

20 Suicides and Assassinations 449

21 The Main Enemy? 473

22 Friends and Enemies 504.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 553-569) and index.

ISBN:

9781586485184

1586485180

OCLC:

191732506