
Secret War in the Middle East
The Covert Struggle for Syria, 1949-1961
Andrew Rathmell(Author)
I.B. Tauris (Publisher)
Published on 21. October 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-78076-495-5 (ISBN)
Description
Covert action and terrorism have played major roles in the policies of the Middle East. It is impossible to comprehend the intricacies of regional politics without an understanding of the covert machinations that lie beneath the surface. This work is an in-depth study of Syrian politics and foreign relations between 1949 and 1961.; Topics covered include the role of foreign governments in manipulating Syria's numerous military coups; the covert struggle to remove Adib al-Shishakli, the conflicts in the late 1950s between Syrian politicians and officers, the consolidation of power in Syria by chief Abd al-Hamid Sarraj and his covert battles with Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq from 1957 onwards. Previously unstudied aspects of Syrian covert intervention in the 1958 Lebanese Civil War and of a Syrian-Jordanian "dirty war" are also included. Throughout the book, particular attention is paid to the role of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.
Reviews / Votes
'Middle East scholars have always had a hard time dealing with conspiracies as explanations for political turmoil. On the one hand, the political culture is prone to explain everything in terms of conspiracies, and the lack of tangible evidence is never a barrier to the most imaginative of theories. On the other hand, it is clearly naive to dismiss the political role of various intelligence services, particularly in the 1950s. The virtue of this book is that it examines the evidence supporting and refuting covert activity in Syria - an excellent choice since that nation was the target of many covert actions by its neighbours as well as powers outside the region.' William B. Quant, Foreign Affairs 'Rathmell - focus[es] on the "almost constant intrigues" in which Middle Eastern politicians indulged, and - show[s] just how important these are. He concludes, correctly, that Middle Eastern phobias about the West are partly justified, but that the main source of covert action lies within the region itself... And he locates the origins of today's rogue activities, especially terrorism, in the activities of forty years ago.' Daniel Pipes, Middle East QuarterlyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
293 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78076-495-5 (9781780764955)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Andrew Rathmell is a director of Aktis Strategy Ltd and Visiting Professor at Exeter University's Strategy and Security Institute.
Content
Acknowledgements
A note on transliteration
Abbreviations
Preface to the paperback edition
Introduction
Syria in its environment
Coups and covert action
The Shiskali era, 1949-54
Syria between Nasser and the West, 1954-56
Battling the Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957-58
The United Arab Republic, 1958-61
Conclusion
Notes
Appendix 1: Key dates
Appendix 2: Key personalities
Bibliography
Index
A note on transliteration
Abbreviations
Preface to the paperback edition
Introduction
Syria in its environment
Coups and covert action
The Shiskali era, 1949-54
Syria between Nasser and the West, 1954-56
Battling the Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957-58
The United Arab Republic, 1958-61
Conclusion
Notes
Appendix 1: Key dates
Appendix 2: Key personalities
Bibliography
Index