‘Fault Lines’ Book Review: Middle East crisis detailed for the ‘layman’
Author Donald Liebich explains his new book Fault Lines very well in the tagline “The Layman’s Guide to Understanding America’s Role in the Ever-Changing Middle East.”
Liebich compiles a ton of analysis, quotes, articles and observations to summarize the conflict in the Middle East. He offers harsh words and analysis for every player: from the Taliban’s plan to have a ton of babies and infiltrate the world to the tensions in Iran to recounting the “Zionists” history in Israel – don’t be thin skinned and read Fault Lines.
Many of the key players are explained: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and of course, Saddam Hussein and the Islamic State. How are weapoins moved around the Middle East, did jihadist get kicked out of Iraq and what is the Arab Spring – Liebich brings the readers an insight.
At times the reader is uneven, bouncing from overly complicated to overly symplistic. There is no respect here for Israel or the “antics” of Prime Minister Netanyahu, but to better understand the role of the Saudis, Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood – it’s here.
The most eye opening part of the book for me was the detailed analysis of the 2005 article by Jordanian journalist Fouad Hussein, who basiscaly outlines the goal of the jihad, the militant Muslim and how that timeline is being executed to perfection.
“You’ve got the watch, we’ve got the time,” was the message from the Taliban and hopefully readers will find the time to absorb Fault Lines for themselves.
It’s to say who will benefit most from the book (the novice vs the insider). It’s a great overview, but it’s also a ton of information. An index of names and terms would make Fault Lines a better tool for quick reference.
Liebich is never unfair to the U.S. foreign policy, I would have used even harsher criticism, but he doesn’t appear to pull back either.
Overall Fault Lines receives 3 1/2 stars out of 5
Full article on the “Future of Terrorism” (written in 2005) – click here