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A Hundred Horizons: The Indian Ocean in the Age of Global Empire.
The article reviews the book "A Hundred Horizons: The Indian Ocean in the Age of Global Empire," by Sugata Bose.
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Afghanistan.
The article offers events of social conflicts in Afghanistan as of April to July 2006. On April 20, few Afghan policemen were killed by Taliban militiamen in an ambush at a checkpoint between Kandahar and Herat road. On May 10, employees of United Nations Children's Fund were killed and wounded in a rocket attack on their vehicle. On June 14, Taliban insurgents were killed following a strike in Paktika province which sought to extend government control over remote provinces in the country.
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Algeria.
The article offers national events related to social and political affairs in Algeria as of May 2006. On May 3, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika offered amnesty to journalists for overturning convictions on charges of insulting public officials. On May 14, Algerian troops found the bodies of more than 20 massacred women and children during a raid in Jijel. On May 24, President Bouteflika has dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia in replacing him with his personal representative.
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American Encounters with Arabs: The "Soft Power" of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Middle East/Voices of the New Arab Public: Iraq, Al-Jazeera and Middle East Politics Today.
The article reviews the books "American Encounters With Arabs: The Soft Power of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Middle East," by William A. Rugh and "Voices of the New Arab Public: Iraq, Al-Jazeera and Middle East Politics Today," by Marc Lynch.
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Arab-Israeli Conflict.
The article presents the events of national conflicts among Arab and Israeli in Israel as of April to July 2006. On April 17, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed himself and other people and some were injured in a Tel Aviv Restaurant. On May 5, an Israeli air strike killed few members of the Popular Resistance Committees at a training camp in Gaza City. On June 8, the Israeli troops shot and killed three Palestinians in Gaza along the Karni border crossing.
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ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT: The Peace Business: Money and Power in the Palestine-Israel Conflict.
The article reviews the book "The Peace Business: Money and Power in the Palestine-Israel Conflict," by Markus E. Bouillon.
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Architecture and Tourism in Italian Colonial Libya: An Ambivalent Modernism.
The article reviews the book "Architecture and Tourism in Italian Colonial Libya: An Ambivalent Modernism," by Brian L. McLaren.
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Bahrain.
The article offers events depicting socio-political developments in Bahrain as of April to June 2006. On April 30, masked youths had attacked a police vehicle with Molotov cocktails in Abu Subai. On June 8, Mona Jasim Al Kawari was appointed to a judgeship on the High Civil Court as the first female judge in the country. On June 25, the Information Ministry has cancelled the license and shut down the broadcast of Sawt al-Ghad, nation's first private-owned radio station.
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Basra, the Faited Gulf State: Separatism and Nationalism in Southern Iraq.
The article reviews the book "Basra, the Failed Gulf State: Separatism and Nationalism in Southern Iraq," by Reidar Visser.
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Between Palestine and Lebanon: Seven Shi'i Villages as a Case Study of Boundaries, Identities, and Conflict.
This article follows the fate of the only seven Shi'i villages in Mandatory Palestine, beginning in the time of the border demarcation between Palestine and Lebanon (1919-1924) and concluding with Hizbullah's demand to retrieve their territories back to Lebanon (2000). The article examines the relations of the villages with the Jewish Yishuv and with the Sunni population in Palestine during the British Mandate; their fate as Palestinian refugees in Lebanon; and their status in Lebanon after the 1994 naturalization law that granted them Lebanese citizenship. The story of the seven villages is examined through three prisms: that of the villages themselves, of the Palestinians, and of the Lebanese. The different narratives enlighten themes such as the colonial legacy in the Middle East, border dynamics, identity formation, and internal Lebanese politics.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Central Asia and the Caucasus.
The article presents the socio-political events in Central Asia and the Caucasus as of April to July 2006. On April 19, Court for Serious Crimes in Azerbaijan has convicted over 15 militants believed as members of Al-Qaida. On May 4, negotiations of presidents between Kazakh and Tajik has led to the approval of agreements and the release of a joint statement. On June 8, a police in northern Kazakhstan declared of breaking up Tabligh Jamaat, an underground nonviolent Islamic revivalist group.
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Chaos, Globalization, and the Public Sphere: Political Struggle in Iraq and Palestine.
Much of the literature on the contemporary Middle East explores the relationship of strong, authoritarian states with Islamist groups; the professional literature also has examined the role of strong societies with weak states. There has been less study of the role of the various players in weak states with weak societies. This article examines the cases of Palestine and Iraq, two societies undergoing occupation and with weak state structures, and the role of Islamist and other movements within them.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Chronology.
The article reports on several developments in the Middle East, from January 16 to April 15, 2006. In the Arab-Israeli conflict, a suicide bomber blew himself up, including 30 victims in a shopping center in Tel Aviv, on January 19. In Central Asia and the Caucasus, millions of people in Georgia went without heat for the third day after blasts destroyed a Russian pipeline, on January 24. In January 17, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas confirmed not to consider for reelection in 2009.
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Citizens Abroad: Emigration and the State in the Middle East and North Africa.
The article reviews the book "Citizens Abroad: Emigration and the State in the Middle East and North Africa," by Laurie A. Brand.
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Communications.
Two letters to the editor are presented including "Myths and Historiography of the 1948 Palestine War Revisited: The Case of Lydda," Volume 59, Number 4 by Alon Kadish and Avraham Sela in the Autumn 2005 issue and "Blunder Books: Iraq Since Saddam," Volume 60, Number 2 by Peter Sluglett in the Spring 2006 issue.
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Crisis and Crossfire: The United States and the Middle East Since 1945.
The article reviews the book "Crisis and Crossfire: The United States and the Middle East Since 1945," by Peter Hahn.
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Deciphering Islamism and Terrorism.
The article reviews several books about Middle East including "From Secularism to Jihad: Sayyid Qutb and the Foundation of Radical Islamism" by Adnan A. Musallum, "Terror on the Internet: The New Arena, the New Challenges," by Gabriel Weimann and "Alms for Jihad: Charity and Terrorism in the Islamic World," by Millard Burr and Robert O. Collins.
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Defending the Holy Land: A Critical Analysis of Israel's Security and Foreign Policy.
The article reviews the book "Defending the Holy Land: A Critical Analysis of Israel's Security and Foreign Policy," by Zeev Maoz.
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Democracy, "Arab Exceptionalism," and Social Science.
This article deals with a cross-national measurement methodology of democracy as it is applied to Muslim and Arab nations by Freedom House, a major research organization. The results of Freedom House's studies show that Muslim and Arab states prove comparatively to be exceptional in being resistant to democracy. This article briefly examines measurement criteria then highlights the finding that the exceptionalism thesis propagated by the Freedom House project is the product of serious discrepancies in the measurement application.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Dispensing Justice in Islam: Qadis and their Judgments/Intent in Islamic Law: Motive and Meaning in Medieval Sunni Fiqh.
The article reviews the books "Dispensing Justice in Islam: Qadis and Their Judgments," edited by Muhammad Khalid Masud, Rudolph Peters and David Powers and "Intent in Islamic Law: Motive and Meaning in Medieval Sunni Fiqh," by Paul R. Powers.
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Editor's Note.
The article offers an overview of the importance and deep understanding of the countries in the Middle East. The author cites interesting papers of this special issue that properly discussed this critical region in the world and its socio-political events that offers current significant debates among experts. Finally, the author promotes the continuous increase of publications dealing on Islamic movements and terrorism.
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Editor's Note.
The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Mark LeVine who takes the case studies on the societies/states of Palestine and Iraq, and another by Trita Parsi considering the Israeli-Iranian and Iranian-Arab relations.
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EDUCATION AND MEDIA: Reflections in a Bloodshot Lens: America, Islam and the War of Ideas.
The article reviews the book "Reflections in a Bloodshot Lens: America, Islam and the War of Ideas," by Lawrence Pintak.
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Egypt.
The article reports socio-political developments in Israel as of April 16-July 15, 2006. The authorities announced the arrest of 43 students at Assyut University for suspected membership in the banned Muslim Brotherhood in April 17. Last May 18, a disciplinary panel punished reformist judge Hisham Bastawisi and cleared Mahmud Mekki for putting forth allegations of fraud in the Parliamentary elections 2005. Mamduh Ismail, owner of the ferry that sank in the Red Sea paid $57 million to victims.
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EGYPT: The Egyptian Economy, 1952-2000: Performance, Policies and Issues.
The article reviews the book "The Egyptian Economy, 1952-2000: Performance, Policies and Issues," by Khalid Ikram.
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Elusive Peace: How the Holy Land Defeated America.
The article reviews the book "Elusive Peace: How the Holy Land Defeated America," by Ahron Bregman.
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Globalization, International Finance, and Political Islam in the Arab World.
This article looks at one important aspect of globalization in the Arab World, namely the provision of international finance by the US, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank in support of economic liberalization programs. This flow of international finance has been partly determined by geopolitical factors and in some countries has resulted in a decline in state provision of social welfare, increased poverty, and increased inequality. Not only has this form of globalization been increasingly challenged by Islamist groups, but many such groups have moved in to provide social capital and fill the welfare gap created by the gradual withdrawal of the state from socio-economic affairs. Globalization has thus strengthened the hand of political Islam and undermined the political legitimacy of incumbent regimes.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone.
The article reviews the book "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone," by Rajiv Chandrasekaran.
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Information Technology.
The article offers the events related to information technology in Asia as of June to July 2006. On June 18, the Ministry of National Economy in Oman and Oman Telecommunications Co. has signed an agreement to design and manage an unified e-government network. On June 19, KazSat 1, the first satellite of Kazakhstan was launched as a first step of its space program. On July 4, French firm Alcatel SA, has won the contract to lay a France-Morocco underwater optical cable in Morocco.
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Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Iraq.
The article reviews the book "Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Iraq," by Ahmed S. Hashim.
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Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope.
The article reviews the book "Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope," by Shirin Ebadi and Azadeh Moaveni.
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Iran.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Iran as of April 15-July 15, 2006. The authorities launched a crackdown on women failing to follow the regime's definition of acceptable Islamic dress last April 21. An Iranian court sentenced two Swedish construction workers to three years in prison for taking photographs of military installations on Qeshm on May 2. Last June 27, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declared the refusal of Iran to have a direct talk with the U.S.
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IRAN: Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos.
The article reviews the book "Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos," by Patrick Clawson and Michael Rubin.
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Iraq.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Iraq as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Last April 20, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari resigned on his post in the face on increasing domestic and international pressure. The trial of Saddam Husayn for crimes against humanity was interrupted when Bushra Khalil, a defense lawyer was expelled from the court last May 22. A car bomb was exploded in a busy marketplace in Basra which kills more than 33 people.
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IRAQ: Reclaiming a Plundered Past: Archaeology and Nation Building in Modern Iraq.
The article reviews the book "Reclaiming a Plundered Past: Archaeology and National Building in Modern Iraq," by Magnus T. Bernhardsson.
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Islam, Secularism, and Nationalism in Modern Turkey: Who is a Turk?
The article reviews the book "Islam, Secularism and Nationalism in Modern Turkey: Who Is a Turk?," by Soner Cagaptay.
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Islamist Economics in Egypt: The Pious Road to Development.
The article reviews the book "Islamist Economics in Egypt: The Pious Road to Development," by Bjorn Olav Utvik.
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Israel and the Origins of Iran's Arab Option: Dissection of a Strategy Misunderstood.
This article argues that Iran's ‘Arab option’ — the Arab and pro-Palestinian tilt in Iran's foreign policy — did not emerge out of the ideological musings of Iran's Islamic revolutionaries, but out of Iran's new-found position of preeminence in the later years of the Shah's rule. The sustainability of Iran's regional leadership required Arab acceptance and support, which could only be won through a pro-Arab orientation in Iran's foreign policy.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Israel.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Israel from April 15-July 15, 2006. The Israeli Supreme Court voted to uphold a law forbidding Palestinians from living their spouses last May 14. Last July 12, Hizbullah militants kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed an additional seven during a border raid into Israel. In response to Israeli military actions against targets in Lebanon, Hizbullah fired over 100 Katyusha rockets resulting the death of two Israelis.
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Israel/Palestine.
The article reviews the book "Israel/Palestine," by Alan Dowty.
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ISRAEL: Israel and the Persian Gulf: Retrospect and Prospect.
The article reviews the book "Israel and the Persian Gulf: Restrospect and Prospect," by Gawdat Bahgat.
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Jordan.
The article reports on socio-political developments in Jordan as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Last April 19, the Jordonian government canceled a scheduled visit to Amman by Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmud Zahhar after it seized weapons smuggled into Jordan by members of Hamas. Hamas leaders had not visited Jordan since 1999, when they were expelled by the Jordanian government.
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KURDS: The Kurds in Syria: The Forgotten People.
The article reviews the book "The Kurds in Syria: The Forgotten People," by Kerim Yildiz.
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Kuwait.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Kuwait as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Last May 15, twenty-eight opposition members of Parliament walked out in protest against the government's move to spoil a bill that decrease the number of constituencies. Kuwait held its Parliamentary elections last June 29 which allowed women to vote and run for office. Amir Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah approved a new Cabinet last July 10 based on the recommendations of Nasser Muhammad Al Sabah.
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LAW Crime and Punishment in Islamic Law: Theory and Practice from the Sixteenth to the Twenty-First Century.
The article reviews the book "Crime and Punishment in Islamic Law: Theory and Practice from the Sixteenth to the Twenty-First Century," by Rudolph Peters.
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Lebanon.
The article reports on socio-political developments in Lebanon as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Lebanese politicians have not agreed to dismiss pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud during the sixth round of National Dialogue talks last April 28. Israel launched air strikes and a naval bombardment last July 12 targeting Hizbullah strongholds as well as roads and bridges in response to the capture of two Israeli soldiers. Israel bombed the home of Hasan Nasrallah, Hizbullah leader last July 14.
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Libya.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Libya as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor was accused of infecting hundreds of children with HIV last April 22 were granted a trial by the Supreme Court. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution last June 8 requesting that President George W. Bush postpone the process of re-developing diplomatic relations with Libya. Libya announced last June 26 about the final payment of $2 million for the victims.
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LIBYA: A History of Modern Libya/Forgotten Voices: Power and Agency in Colonial and Postcolonial Libya.
The article reviews the two books related to history, including "A History of Modern Libya," by Dirk Vandewalle, and "Forgotten Voices: Power and Agency in Colonial and Postcolonial Libya," by Ali Abdullatif Ahmida.
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Living Islam: Muslim Religious Experience in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province.
The article reviews the book "Living Islam: Muslim Religious Experience in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province," by Magnus Marsden.
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Markets of Dispossession: NGOs, Economic Development, and the State in Cairo.
The article reviews the book "Markets of Dispossession: NGOs, Economic Development, and the State in Cairo," by Julia Elyachar.
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Mauritania.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Mauritania as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Colonel Ely Ould Mohammad Vall, military ruler issued a call for citizens last May 26 to stamp out the remaining traces of slavery. The military government adopted a new media law as a part of a series of media reforms last June 8. Eight men suspected of being members of the al-Qa'ida linked Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat were taken into custody and charged with offenses last July 4.
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Mirage: Power, Politics, and the Hidden History of Arabian Oil.
The article reviews the book "Mirage: Power, Politics, and the Hidden History of Arabian Oil," by Aileen Keating.
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Modern Clan Politics: The Power of "Blood" in Kazakhstan and Beyond.
The article reviews the book "Modern Clan Politics: The Power of Blood in Kazakhstan and Beyond," by Edward Schatz.
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MODERN HISTORY AND POLITICS: Storm from the East.
The article reviews the book "Storm From the East," by Milton Viorst.
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Morocco.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Morocco last May 25. Moroccan police arrested 330 members of the country's largest opposition party known as al-'Adl wa al-Ihsane. A spokesman for the group stated that anti-Islamist newspapers had published false reports accusing members calling for an uprising against the government.
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National Security Decision-Making in Israel: Processes, Pathologies, and Strengths.
This article presents a first of its kind typology of Israeli national security decision- making processes, focusing on five primary pathologies and a number of strengths. It will demonstrate that these pathologies are the product of an extraordinarily compelling external environment and domestic structural factors: chiefly, the extreme politicization of the decision-making process stemming from the proportional representation electoral system, the consequent need to govern through coalition cabinets, and the absence of effective cabinet-level decision-making support capabilities.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Nuclear Proliferation: The Case of Saudi Arabia.
Since the 1970s, the world's attention has focused on nuclear proliferation in Iran and Iraq. Very little attention has been given to nuclear proliferation in the third regional power in the Persian Gulf—Saudi Arabia. This article addresses the question of potential Saudi nuclear ambition. Most policymakers and analysts agree that Saudi Arabia does not possess nuclear weapons. Still, some argue that the Kingdom has both strategic incentives and financial resources to pursue a nuclear program. This article examines the security threats to Saudi Arabia from Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Yemen. It also analyzes the impact of domestic economic and political reform on Riyadh 's security policy. The article argues that the US' strong commitments to defend Saudi Arabia against external threats have been crucial in reducing incentives to acquire nuclear weapons.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Oil Titans: National Oil Companies in the Middle East.
The article reviews the book "Oil Titans: National Oil Companies in the Middle East," by Valerie Marcel.
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Oman.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Oman for July 8, 2006. Sultan Qabus enacted labor reforms including the legalization of trade unions and strikes in the decree ahead of a U.S. Congressional vote on a bilateral free trade agreement between two countries. The country was the first of the Gulf states to reform its labor codes to conform to International Labor Organization standards as a precondition for a trade pact with Washington.
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Pakistan.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Pakistan as of April 15-July 15, 2006. The country confirmed last April 20 that it had killed Abu Marwan al-Suri who is an associate of al-Qa'ida's Ayman al-Zawahiri in the tribunal region that bordered with Afghanistan. The World Bank approved a $6.5 billion Country Assistance Strategy last June 2 for Pakistan for the development of infrastructure. President Pervez Musharraf amended the Islamic law on crimes like adultery last July 7.
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PAKISTAN: The Encyclopedia of Pakistan.
The article reviews the book "The Encyclopedia of Pakistan," edited by Hafeez Malik and Yuri V. Gankovsky.
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PALESTINE AND PALESTINIANS: Mandated Landscape: British Imperial a Rule in Palestine, 1929-1948.
The article reviews the book "Mandated Landscape: British Imperial Rule in Palestine, 1929-1948," by Roza I. M. El-Eini.
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Palestinian Affairs.
The article presents the national events of social and political affairs in Palestine as of April to July 2006. On April 16, Iran has pledged $50 million to the Palestinian Authority in response to the decision of the US and the European Union to cut off support to Hamas-led government. On June 4, two Palestinians were killed in Gaza during an attack against a car carrying a Hamas member. On June 12, military forces united with Fatah has set fire to the administrative offices in Ram Allah.
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Petroleum Affairs.
The article offers socio-economic developments depicting the petroleum industry in Asia as of May and June 2006. On May 22, the French oil firm Total has signed a joint venture with Saudi Aramco, a Saudi Arabia-owned firm to build 400, 000 barrels per day capacity of oil refinery in Jubail City. On June 6, Kuwait Energy Co. has purchased a strategic share of onshore Egyptian petroleum fields at the Burg Al-Arab in the Western Desert.
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POLITICAL THOUGHT:Consult Them in the Matter. A Nineteenth-Century Islamic Argument for Constitutional Government. The Muqaddima (Introduction) to Ithaf Ahl a-Zaman bi Akhbar Muluk Tunis wa `Ahd al-Aman (Presenting Contemporaries the History of the...
The article reviews the book "Consult Them in the Matter: A Nineteenth-Century Islamic Argument for Constitutional Government," by Ahmad Ibn Diyaf.
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PRE-20TH CENTURY HISTORY Britain and the Opening Up of South-West Persia 1880-1914: A Study in Imperialism and Economic Dependence.
The article reviews the book "Britain and the Opening Up of South-West Persia 1880-1914: A Study in Imperialism and Economic Dependence," by Shahbaz Shahnavaz.
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Qatar and the World: Branding for a Micro-State.
There are two factors that have shaped Qatar's integration and place in the international system. The first revolves around the constraints and problems of small states while the second is Qatar's response - a strategy of branding the state for survival. This article discusses Qatar's situation as a micro-state and analyzes the nature and success of its response.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Qatar.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Qatar as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Ibtihag Muhammad Al Ahmadani became the first woman to be elected as executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry last May 19. The Deputy Director of Public Security at the Interior Ministry, Ahmad Husayn Al Haik announced that expariates lived for 25 years. Physicians developed a professional association with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Housing.
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Reaching for Power: The Shi'a in the Modern Arab World.
The article reviews the book "Reaching for Power: The Shi'a in the Modern Arab World," by Yitzhak Nakash.
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RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
The article presents a list of books related to politics and government in the Middle East, including "The Palestine Israel Conflict: A Basic Introduction," by Gregory Harms and Todd M. Ferry, "Israel and Settler Society," by Lorenzo Veracini, and "Iraq Ablaze: Inside the Insurgency," by Zaki Chehab.
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Regional Affairs.
The article offers events depicting social and economic developments in Asia as of June 2006. On June 3, Saudi Arabia and Yemen has agreed on a final demarcation of their shared 1,800-kilometer border dispute. On June 11, Bahrain and Qatar has signed an agreement to create a company which would construct a bridge linking them. On June 16, Iranian and Syrian government signed an agreement for military cooperation in Tehran which assures to cooperate against common threats.
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Root Causes of Suicide Terrorism: The Globalization of Martyrdom.
The article reviews the book "Root Causes of Suicide Terrorism: The Globalization of Martyrdom," edited by Ami Pedahzur.
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Saudi Arabia.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Saudi Arabia as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Chinese President Hu Jintao started his three-day visit last April 22 to Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening ties between China and the Kingdom. Fifteen Saudi men was freed last May 19 from the Guantanamo Bay military detention camp in Cuba arrived in Saudi Arabia. The country release the names of Maniy bin Shaman al-Utaybi and Yasir Talal al-Zahrani who committed suicide while under detention.
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SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia in the Balance: Political Economy, Society, Foreign Affairs.
The article reviews the book "Saudi Arabia in the Balance: Political Economy, Society, Foreign Affairs," edited by Paul Aarts and Gerd Nonneman.
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Sudan.
The article reports on the socio-political developments in Sudan as of April 15-July 15, 2006. Sudanese officials reported last April 18 the first cases of H5N1 which is a deadly strain of bird flu. A midnight deadline for a peace agreement in the Darfur region passed without an agreement between two sides last May 1. The United Nation's top humanitarian official, Jan Egeland was forced to flee a camp for people displaced by the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
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Syria, the United States, and the War on Terror in the Middle East.
The article reviews the book "Syria, the United States and the War on Terror in the Middle East," by Robert G. Rabil .
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Syria.
The article presents a chronology of events related to political conditions in Syria. Syrian writer Muhammad Ghanem was sentenced to a 6-term jail for publishing articles critical to President Bashar al-Asad. On June 28, Israeli warplanes flew over a presidential palace and created several sonic booms.
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Syria: Revolution from Above/The New Lion of Damascus: Bashar al-Asad and Modern Syria.
The article reviews several books "Syria: Revolution from Above," by Raymond Hinnesbusch and "The New Lion of Damascus: Bashar al-Asad and Modern Syria," by David W. Lesch.
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The Arab American Experience in the United States and Canada: A Classified, Annotated Bibliography.
The article reviews the book "The Arab American Experience in the United States and Canada: A Classified, Annotated Bibliography," by Michael W. Suleiman.
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The Decline of the Anglo-American Middle East 1961-1969.
The article reviews the book "The Decline of the Anglo-American Middle East 1961-1969," by Tore T. Petersen.
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The Economic Policies of Turkey's AKP Government: Rabbits from a Hat?
How can we account for the priority that Turkey's ‘Islam-sensitive’ government has placed on adhering to the IMF's prescriptions for macroeconomic stability and fiscal restraint in lieu of its electoral promises to pursue a justice-oriented social agenda and aggressively tackle problems of poverty and unemployment? In this article this question is answered by analyzing the challenges posed by international factors (debt sustainability, pressures by the IMF and the EU), as well as domestic factors (the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) own unpreparedness, oppositional tactics by the secularist establishment) that have shaped the AKP government's economic policies.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War without End.
The article reviews the book "The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End," by Peter W. Galbraith.
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The Palestinian National Movement: Politics of Contentions, 1967-2005.
The article reviews the book "The Palestinian National Movement: Politics of Contentions, 1967-2005," by Amal Jamal.
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The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, The First Marines, and the Secret Mission of 1805.
The article reviews the book "The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines and the Secret Mission of 1805," by Richard Zacks.
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THE SHI'A: The Shi'a of Lebanon: Clans, Parties and Clerics/The Shi'is of Jabal `Amil and the New Lebanon: Community and Nation-State, 1918-1943.
The article reviews two books on Lebanon including "The Shi'a of Lebanon: Clans, Parties and Clerics," by Rodger Shanahan and "The Shi'is of Jabal 'Amil and the New Lebanon: Community and Nation-State, 1918-1943," by Tamara Chalabi.
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The West Bank and the Gaza Strip: A Geography of Occupation and Disengagement.
The article reviews the book "The West Bank and the Gaza Strip: A Geography of Occupation and Disengagement," by Elisha Efrat.
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Thicker Than Oil: America's Uneasy Partnership With Saudi Arabia.
The article reviews the book "Thicker Than Oil: America's Uneasy Partnership With Saudi Arabia," by Rachel Bronson.
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Tunisia.
The article reports that a Tunisian court sentenced Belgacem Nawar to 20 years in prison for his role in a suicide bombing on April 2002. He was the uncle of the bomber who crashed a fuel-laden truck into synagogue on the island of Djerba. The incident was first claimed by al-Qa'ida in an Arab country after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
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Turkey.
The article presents a chronology of events related to socio-political developments in Turkey. May 1 is the day when the Turkish court rejected an appeal by prominent Armenian journalist Hrant Dink against a ruling that found him guilty. On June 1, media reported that Turkish anti-terror police foiled a plot to assistance Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. On June 12, the first 35 detailed policy negotiations was concluded as part of accession negotiations to the European Union.
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TURKEY: Turkey, Islamists and Democracy: Transition and Globalization in a Muslim State.
The article reviews the book "Turkey, Islamists and Democracy: Transition and Globalization in a Muslim State," by Yildiz Atasoy.
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Understanding Iraq.
The article reviews the book "Understanding Iraq," by William R. Polk.
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Understanding Islamic Law: From Classical to Contemporary.
The article reviews the book "Understanding Islamic Law: From Classical to Contemporary," edited by Hisham M. Ramadan .
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United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The article presents a chronology of events related to socio-political events in the United Arab Emirates in 2006. On May 16, Diplomat Naji al-Nuaimi was kidnapped by armed militants in the Mansour neighborhood of Baghdad. The kidnappers demanded that the UAE withdraw its ambassador from Iraq and shut down an Iraqi television station based in Dubai on May 30. June 25 marked the announcement of the government that all secretaries and personnel managers in the country must be UAE citizens.
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What do Egypt's Islamists Want? Moderate Islam and the Rise of Islamic Constitutionalism.
What type of political order do Egypt's Islamists seek to create? This question is examined by studying two types of sources: the theoretical works of Egypt's most prominent contemporary Islamic thinkers and the documents issued by the Muslim Brotherhood during its 2005 parliamentary campaign. These sources indicate that a distinctively Islamic conception of constitutionalism has emerged that legitimates many of the key goals of liberal governance, including constraints on state power governmental accountability, and protection of some civil and political rights. However the institutions of Islamic constitutionalism support a conception of political order that differs from liberalism in important respects. These differences are most apparent with regard to the purpose of the state, the role of the individual in politics, and the function of law.ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORCopyright of Middle East Journal is the property of Middle East Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
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Who's Sorry Now? Britain, the United States, and the Politics of the Middle East Status Quo, 1945-1967.
The article reviews several books related to politics, including "Caught in the Middle East: US Policy Toward the Arab-Israeli Conflict 1945-1961," by Peter L. Hahn, "Britain, Nasser and the Balance of Power in the Middle East: From the Egyptian Revolution to the Six Day War 1952-1967," by Robert McNamara, and "Strategy and Politics in the Middle East 1954-1960: Defending the Northern Tier," by Michael J. Cohen.
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Yemen.
The article presents a chronology of events related to socio-political developments in Yemen in 2006. On April 16, three men were killed and nine wounded in the clashes between supporters of the late Shi'ite cleric Badral-Din al-Huthi in Sana'a. "The Yemen Observer" was permitted by the government to resume publishing after it reprinted Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. President Ali Abdallah Salih rejected his party's nomination to run for a fourth seven-year term on June 22.
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