The central theme of West Asia At War: Repression, Resistance and Great Power Games portrays events which have defined the uncertainty that surrounds the region. Agitations for reforms, internal and external turbulence aided by a government that believes in vilayet-e-mutlaq (absolute vice-regency), this book takes us through a journey where the supreme leader and his followers possess an unshakable faith. The author of the book, Talmiz Ahmad, who has previously served as an Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE has presented an impressive piece of work making the reasons for the ongoing advancements thought-provoking. The structure of the book is chronologically oriented, making it easy for the reader to comprehend the trajectories.
The first chapter revolves around the quest for an Arab identity and pursuing Arab independence, during 1798-1900, especially after the Western incursions when the British arrived at the port of Alexandria alarming the Arabs about a possible French arrival. The Scholars’ have been of the opinion that this was the first European military force in West Asia since Crusades, but the impact of this incident was felt deeply, for they didn’t arrive to be partners. Over the years the imperial domination took over trade. The chapter further goes on to highlight rather differing ideologies between Traditionalists and Liberals. The traditionalists advocated for no reform-go back to original message of Islam, whereas Liberals wanted reform and keeping up with modern times. It can be safely said that Islam anchored their thoughts in freedom from imitation (taqlid) and weighing resources on human reason that God itself created before Islam as a religion in particular gets adulterated. If Arabs did learn anything from the errors made in these years it was to not trust the European powers to facilitate with the required progress which lays the basis for the period after 1900.
The second chapter examines how the two European Powers British and French entered into three agreements: one, with Shareef Hussain of Mecca to lead an Arab Revolt in return of an independent Arab Kingdom. Two, the Sykes- Picot agreement (1916), where France would have control over Syrian territory and Lebanon, while Britain would get three provinces of Mesopotamia (now Iraq), and Transjordan (territory east of Jordan river). Third, the Balfour Declaration (November 1917) promising a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. The failure of these three agreements puts a question mark on the credibility of the strength that the Europeans wanted to exercise on West Asian soil.
The third chapter elucidates the changes post the Second World War, where the colonial withdrawal, shaped the path that would be guarded by Islamic values. The period saw a unified approach to counter the Western imperialism. The idea of United Arab Republic by Egypt and Syria, formation of Ba’ath (Rebirth) Party in 1943 reflected the spark among Arabs that they share a destiny, and that was to have one Arab nation. The author has further presented a survey of the developments made in West Asian nations until 1979, highlighting civil uprisings and Oil, which literally defined their wealth and power.
The fourth chapter traces the period from 1979 to 1990 highlighting complications within West Asia that sort of made local leaders use Islam as a driving force to serve their interest. The author has examined Iraq- Iran war in two phases and a quest for global ‘jihad’ the implications for which were felt throughout the region. But the highlight in this particular chapter has to be the countries realizing the need to be self sufficient, for they understood what it meant to be powerless.
Talmiz Ahmad, in chapter five, seems to have understood the air that surrounds West Asia and his distinguished diplomatic career being an Ambassador reflects in this book. Islam is an enigma and this particular section embraces all the facets of Islamization, and going back to their golden age of al-salaf al salih (the age of the ‘pious ancestors’). Rejection of all the traditions that find no mention in holy texts.
In the sixth chapter it’s important to note that Post Cold War, the US took the opportunity to steer the West Asian policies as per its domestic interests. Considering it the only superpower during the Post Cold War time, the US’s strategic interests consisted of oil supplies, Israel security and all its allies, and no Soviet Union presence.
The Ambassador in chapter 7, 8 and 9 takes the reader on a rather US version of West Asia taking us through the Obama, Trump and Biden administration the centrality being Israel-Palestinian conflict and Iran. For instance, developments made under Biden’s administration last year pertaining to the Israel-Palestine conflict revealed a shift towards rights based approach and strengthen its alliances thereby restoring the credibility [1].
As the name suggests, The ‘Enduring’ Arab Spring, in chapter 10, the years post 2010 has dedicated itself to counter- revolutionary activities and political developments in West Asia, calling for a unifying thread of freedom, democracy and personal dignity. Although different countries in the region had different responses to the trajectories. The western style democracy in the ‘Brotherhood ‘regime in particular has been viewed a threat.
Chapter 11 traces India’s policies towards West Asia from Cold War period till the current Modi era keeping security interests as the central focus. Trending issues like defence technologies, Quad, prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction finds a mention, the application of which has been discussed in his paper [2].
Talmiz Ahmad in chapter twelve concludes his book by reflecting on the history of West Asia, the post pandemic changes and the countries resorting to arms, in the name of Islam. As much as internal factors affect the region, external factors like US disengagement, Russian attack along with constant human rights violation makes the reader put a question mark on the fate of West Asia.
Conclusion
While the author has put all his knowledge into this masterpiece, the issues of rights in conflict resolution seem to be missing but it’s a highly recommended source for readers who wish to understand West Asia through a timeline. A supplementary reading to this book can be The Islamist Challenge in West Asia: Doctrinal and Political Competitions After the Arab Spring by Talmiz Ahmad who highlights the gripping issues from a rather domestic perspective of West Asia.
End notes
[2]- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/25765949.2019.1682304
