by : Fawaz Gerges , Amazon link
Explore the complexities of the Middle East and the rise of ISIS with Fawaz A. Gerges, a distinguished Lebanese-American academic and renowned author specializing in the region's politics, U.S. foreign policy, international relations, Al Qaeda, and the dynamics between the Islamic and Western worlds. Currently holding the position of Professor of Middle East Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Gerges brings unparalleled expertise to his work, also serving as the Emirates Chair of the Contemporary Middle East at LSE and having been the inaugural Director of the LSE Middle East Centre.
Book Overview:
Delve into the intricate narrative of ISIS's ascent in the world, examining its shocking brutality, destructive power, and success in recruitment. Fawaz Gerges, a leading authority on political Islam and jihadism, transcends mere journalistic accounts to provide a comprehensive history of ISIS, shedding light on the deeper conditions that fueled its growth.
The book meticulously traces ISIS's origins in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, its fortification during the suppression of the Arab Spring and the Syrian conflict, and its eventual usurpation of leadership within the jihadist movement from Al Qaeda. Positioned as part of a militant Sunni revival, ISIS declares its intent to establish a caliphate and eliminate all Shia and other minority groups from "Islamic lands." Initially focusing on the "near enemy," including Shia groups and Middle Eastern regimes, the group strategically shifts its tactics to target the "far enemy," illustrated by spectacular attacks in Europe and beyond.
Gerges compellingly demonstrates how decades of dictatorship, poverty, and rising sectarianism in the Middle East, exacerbated by foreign interventions, paved the way for ISIS. Addressing these underlying issues becomes imperative for ensuring the ultimate demise of the terrorist organization. In this insightful book, Gerges provides a crucial perspective on the intricate web of factors that led to the rise of ISIS and offers a path forward for a more stable and secure Middle East.
