Book Reviews

Abstract

84 Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Vol. XXXVII, No.4, Summer 2014 Book Reviews Edited by Nadia Barsoum South Asia, China Turkey and the Middle East A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ARABS by John McHugo, published by Saqi Books, London 2014, pp. 368. The author narrates a journey through the political, social and intellectual history of the Arabs from the Roman Empire right up to the present day. He describes in details a series of turning points in Arab history—from the mission of the prophet Muhammad and the expansion of Islam to the region’s interaction with Western ideas and the rise of Islamism. THE MARINES TAKE ANBAR: The Four Year Fight against Al Qaeda by Richard H.Shultz JR. published by the Naval Institute Press Book News, Annapolis, MD. Pp. 292. This book brings to light all the decisive details of how the Marines, between 2004 and 2008, adapted and improvised as they applied the hard lessons of past mistakes. This work effectively argues the case for the Marines changing the course of the war at Anbar, which is contrary to the conventional wisdom that the surge was the turning point. A HISTORY OF THE ALL-INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE 1906-1947 by Rafique Afzal published by Oxford University Press, Karachi, Pakistan 2013. Pp. 781. This work presents an exhaustive study of the growth and rise of the leading Muslim political party of the South Asian subcontinent —The All—India Muslim League. Based on the Muslim League and other contemporary primary sources, the author gives a comprehensive account of this remarkable phenomenon of a Muslim political party. PAKISTAN’S COUNTERRORISM CHALLENGE edited by Moeed Yusuf, published by Georgetown University Press, Washington DC, 2014, pp. 252. The author skillfully edited volume is essential to understanding Pakistan’s security challenges and possible ways to deal with them. This work is a comprehensive, insightful analysis of the terrorist challenge in Pakistan, its impact on global security , and the possible way forward. 85 CONTESTED FRONTIERS IN THE SYRIA-LEBANON-ISRAEL REGION: Cartography, Sovereignty, and Conflict by Asher Kaufman. Published by John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 2014 Pp. 281. The author analyzes the geopolitical causes of conflict and prospects for resolution, assesses the impasse over economic zones in the Eastern Mediterranean where Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Turkey all have claims, and reflects on the meaning of borders and frontiers today. ISLAM , DEMOCRACY, AND COSMOPOLITANISM: At Home and in the World by Ali Mirsepassi and Tadd Graham Fernee. Published by Cambridge University Press, New York 2014, pp. 225.This book explores the debate on Islam, democracy and modernity, contextualized within contemporary Muslim lifeworlds. These include contemporary Turkey (following the 9/11 attaks and the onset of war in Afghanistan), multicultural France (2009-10 French burqa debate), Egypt (the 2011) Tahrir Square mass mobilizations, and India. This study articulates a democratic politics of everyday life in modern Islamic societies. WILL THE MIDDLE EAST IMPLODE? By Mohammed Ayoob, published by Polity Press Cambridge, UK 2014, pp. 192. Ayoob argues that the Arab Spring has both changed and charged some of the region’s thorniest problems. Exploring the sources of conflict in the Middle East and their various linkages, the authors offers a thoughtful and balanced assessment of whether the region’s is indeed destined for implosion or whether political sagacity and diplomatic creativity can bring it back from the brink. CENTRAL ASIA: Democracy, Instability, and Strategic Game in Kyrgyzstan by P. Stobdan published by the Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses, New Delhi, 2014 pp. 276. Stobdan attempts to provide an overview of political and strategic processes at work in the region by taking the case of Kyrgyzstan-tracing the events since 2005 and more after 2010. Is contains aspects of India’s engagement in Kyrgyzstan and throws light on India’s newly launched ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy. VYING FOR ALLAH’S VOTE: Understanding Islamic Parties, Political Violence and Extremism in Pakistan by Haroon K. Ullah, published by Georgetown University Press, 2013, Washington, DC, pp. 251. The author examines the origins, ideologies, bases of support and electoral successes of the largest and most influential Islamic confessional parties in Pakistan. Ullah assesses what drives these...