Strategic Geography and the Changing Middle East

by Geoffrey, Kemp, Geoffrey Kemp, Robert E. Harkavy

Book Overview

With the breakup of the Soviet Union and the growing links between the Caucasus, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East, a strategic map of the region is emerging with far-reaching implications... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087003023X
• ISBN13: 9780870030239
• Release Date: May 1997
• Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Dates but still good.

Stratefic Geography and the Changing Middle East came out in 1997 so some information about the region has changed since then but the book provides a sueful introduction into the issues of the middle east such as the importance of oil and gas in the region and these issues have influenced attempts to control the region. The book also focuses on military planning and operations such as the Gulf War and Weapons of mass destruction.

Dry But Worth the Effort

Obviously, this book is not fireside reading and should be seen more as a reference.Nevertheless, as the authors argue, whatever theory of international relations you subscribe to--clash of civilizations, multipolarity, etc.--the Middle East remains square in the middle of it all and needs to be better understood by the average citizen. If Sept. 11 didn't drive that little lesson home, I don't know what will.It was fascinating to see how the lay of the land shapes a region's history and even the attitudes of its residents. The book gives ample attention to not just topography, but climate, resources, migration, and how all these factors shape policy and the movement of armies.Overall, this is a much needed book. There's a lot of data to plough through, but it's worth it.