Asad: The Sphinx of Damascus : A Political Biography - Hardcover

Maoz, Moshe

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9781555840624: Asad: The Sphinx of Damascus : A Political Biography

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1555840620 ISBN 13: 9781555840624

Publisher: Grove Pr, 1988

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Traces the life and political career of Syria's President Assad, discusses his determination to unite the Arab world, and analyzes his policy decisions

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From Publishers Weekly:

The author, an Israeli historian, offers a cool, evenhanded assessment of Israel's archenemy, without demonizing Syria's president Hafiz al Asad. Asad, who has used political assassination against fellow Arabs, is would-be leader of an all-Arab confrontation with Israel. Yet, as Ma'oz convincingly shows, the Syrian ruler (whose adopted surname means "the Lion") has manipulated his allies while strengthening Syria's interests. Asad has accepted huge amounts of Soviet aid but is by no means a puppet of the U.S.S.R. His unlikely alliance with Khomeini of Iran has weakened Syria's rival, Iraq. A member of the small, socially disdained Alawite sect, he rules over a predominantly Sunni Muslim country. His minions, lower-class Alawite laborers, make up Syria's new ruling elite and run his intelligence network. He is clearly a force to reckon with, and this book is important reading.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

This biography is the only substantive analysis of Syrian president Asad in English. Ma'oz, a recognized Israeli historian and Syrian specialist, presents a well-balanced profile. He gives a short political history of Syria with a briefing on the country's political dynamics and the bases for internal divisions. He characterizes Syria as the most powerful military power in the Arab world with close military and political ties to the Soviet Unionall engineered by Asad. Ma'oz is also sensitive to Asad's goals of confronting Israel and regaining territory lost in previous wars. Together with Syria Under Asad , edited by Ma'oz and Avner Yaniv (St. Martin's, 1986), this book provides a wealth of information on contemporary Syria and its president. Highly informative and well recommended for the widest possible audience. Sanford R. Silverburg, Catawba Coll., Salisbury, N.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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