Iraq: In the Eye of the Storm - Softcover

Hiro, Dilip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1560254777 ISBN 13: 9781560254775

Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press, 2002

Synopsis

George Bush Sr. described Saddam Hussein as the “new Hitler,” while his son, George W., during a recent state of the union address, accused Iraq of being part of an “axis of evil.” Since 1990 few places have inspired such high dudgeon in U.S. political circles as Iraq, a country easily demonized, simplified or even obscured by the formidable Saddam Hussein. In this short, pithy primer, the celebrated journalist and historian Dilip Hiro looks beyond the spin of both the Bush administration and Saddam’s Ba-athist regime to explore Iraq in all its complexity. Combining case histories and searching political analysis, Hiro explores everyday life in Iraq now, describing the lives of the Iraqi “street” and the effect sanctions have had on their lives. From there he paints a broader picture of Iraq that is both nuanced and vivid, emphasizing the dual importance of the Gulf War of 1991, and the Iran-Iraq war of 1980–88, and the role of the U.S., first friend and then foe, to the Ba-athist regime. He examines the brutal role of Saddam and the Ba-aath Party, his personality cult and its lethal security apparatus, as well as attempts of the internal and external Saddam opposition to overthrow Saddam. Hiro also weighs the achievements and failures of the sanctions regime, especially how the U.S. has used U.N. sanctions as a way to advance its own unilateral policy toward Iraq. Hiro concludes by warning of the potentially catastrophic outcome to Bush’s plans to attack Iraq and violently overthrow Saddam—to regional stability, the world economy, and the lives of many innocent Iraqis. Included are photographs that add to this timely publication. “Dilip Hiro ... is a model political analyst. His approach is incorrigibly non-partisan as it is methodical.”—Justin Wintle, The Sunday Times (London)

About this title

From Booklist

Most Americans, including members of the current Bush administration, lack firsthand knowledge of the domestic situation within contemporary Iraq. If the American commitment to "regime change" results in war and occupation, that ignorance may come back to haunt us. Hiro, a native of India, is a journalist specializing in Middle Eastern affairs and has written for the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and many weekly and monthly publications. In describing daily life in Iraq, Hiro convincingly portrays the devastating effect of sanctions upon ordinary Iraqis. His examination of earlier U.N. inspection efforts reveals both the duplicity of Saddam Hussein's henchmen as well as American efforts to manipulate inspections to gather military intelligence. Although he clearly regards Hussein and his Baath party with contempt, Hiro asserts that a military campaign against Iraq could prove disastrous for both the West and Islamic societies. Hiro is perhaps too cynical regarding the motives of hawks within the Bush administration. Still, most of his ideas seem credible. Those who blithely approach war with Iraq and see only positive effects would do well to read this book. Jay Freeman
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Review

"...highly readable and provocative book... [Hiro] writes within an easy-to-understand and nonideological framework. Highly recommended for informed citizenry." -- Nader Entessar, Library Journal, March 1, 2003

"Comes out in time to take a look at why "victory" [will] likely be messily Pyrrhic for the seeming winners." -- Ian Williams, In These Times, May 9, 2003

"Those who blithely approach war with Iraq and see only positive effects would do well to read this book." -- Jay Freeman, Booklist, February 15, 2003

A scrupulous and discerning vest-pocket contemporary history of Iraq from a writer with a well-earned reputation for evenhandedness. -- Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2002

About this edition

• Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1560254777
• ISBN 13: 9781560254775
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 160