International Struggle Over Iraq: Politics in the UN Security Council 1980–2005
this book is about Iraq and its complex and conflict-ridden history over the past quarter of a century.” The second level and certainly the more important in the global schema – the machinations of the Security Council as it has dealt with…
Baghdad
Through my two years in Baghdad Iraq was at war with Iran, a particularly savage war of attrition. It raged on in the trenches for eight years and over a million casualties. It has been aptly described as a war fought with…
Anthony (Tony) Gustav Vincent 1939-1999
Tony was one of a kind. From the first time you met him, it was easy to be captivated by his ebullience, gift with words and subtle humour. You learned early on that the cut and thrust of argument came as second…
Desert Queen — The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia
I read this book with a sense of real delight. It is a good solid read. While not academic in the sense it does not get caught up with footnotes and references, the book is based upon the public and private writings…
Cruelty and Silence: War, Tyranny, Uprising, and the Arab World
I have read this book three times; twice in the course of preparing this review and once, earlier, when the author was awarded the Gelber prize. Mr. Makiya addresses questions that were troubling for those of us that worked in the Arab…
