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Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East
by Marc Owen Jones • 2022
Gulf states built a global disinformation machine from bots, fake journalists, and Western PR firms.
4.21
19
Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East Summary
Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East 90%
Gulf states built a global disinformation machine from bots, fake journalists, and Western PR firms.
by Marc Owen Jones 2022
4.21
19 ratings
City of Gold
by Jim Krane • 2009
Dubai's skyline was built by men who will never be allowed to call it home.
3.97
776
City of Gold Summary
City of Gold 90%
Dubai's skyline was built by men who will never be allowed to call it home.
by Jim Krane 2009
3.97
776 ratings
House of Bush, House of Saud
by Craig Unger • 2004
Oil, covert wars, and a revolving door: the Bush-Saudi alliance that 9/11 nearly destroyed.
3.91
2k+
House of Bush, House of Saud Summary
House of Bush, House of Saud 89%
Oil, covert wars, and a revolving door: the Bush-Saudi alliance that 9/11 nearly destroyed.
by Craig Unger 2004
3.91
2k+ ratings
MBS
by Ben Hubbard • 2020
An obscure Saudi prince seized a kingdom, won over Trump, and crushed dissent, until Istanbul.
4.14
4k+
MBS Summary
MBS 89%
An obscure Saudi prince seized a kingdom, won over Trump, and crushed dissent, until Istanbul.
by Ben Hubbard 2020
4.14
4k+ ratings
Blood and Oil
by Bradley Hope • 2020
Hundreds arrested. Phones hacked. A journalist killed. Inside Mohammed bin Salman's Saudi Arabia.
4.24
10k+
Blood and Oil Summary
Blood and Oil 88%
Hundreds arrested. Phones hacked. A journalist killed. Inside Mohammed bin Salman's Saudi Arabia.
by Bradley Hope 2020
4.24
10k+ ratings
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2006
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
4.12
4k+
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Summary
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy 88%
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2006
4.12
4k+ ratings
An Economy and a State for Lebanon
by Charbel Nahas • 2020
Behind Lebanon's crisis: a currency illusion, a sectarian spoils system, and a generation that fled.
4.33
15
An Economy and a State for Lebanon Summary
An Economy and a State for Lebanon 88%
Behind Lebanon's crisis: a currency illusion, a sectarian spoils system, and a generation that fled.
by Charbel Nahas 2020
4.33
15 ratings
Black Wave
by Kim Ghattas • 2020
The 1979 contest between Saudi Arabia and Iran that dismantled a region’s cultural soul.
4.40
6k+
Black Wave Summary
Black Wave 88%
The 1979 contest between Saudi Arabia and Iran that dismantled a region’s cultural soul.
by Kim Ghattas 2020
4.40
6k+ ratings
The Arab Uprising
by Marc Lynch • 2012
Arab youth, armed with TV and social media, toppled dictators. Then the counterrevolution began.
3.65
246
The Arab Uprising Summary
The Arab Uprising 87%
Arab youth, armed with TV and social media, toppled dictators. Then the counterrevolution began.
by Marc Lynch 2012
3.65
246 ratings
The Shia Revival
by Vali Nasr • 2006
America's Iraq invasion accidentally broke a 1,400-year Sunni order. Iran seized the opening.
3.88
2k+
The Shia Revival Summary
The Shia Revival 87%
America's Iraq invasion accidentally broke a 1,400-year Sunni order. Iran seized the opening.
by Vali Nasr 2006
3.88
2k+ ratings
Devil's Game
by Robert Dreyfuss • 2005
The United States armed Islamism for sixty years. Al Qaeda was the bill that came due.
3.99
272
Devil's Game Summary
Devil's Game 87%
The United States armed Islamism for sixty years. Al Qaeda was the bill that came due.
by Robert Dreyfuss 2005
3.99
272 ratings
Yemen
by Victoria Clark • 2010
How tribal resistance, a cynical president, and Saudi's shadow made Yemen a jihadist stronghold.
3.71
276
Yemen Summary
Yemen 87%
How tribal resistance, a cynical president, and Saudi's shadow made Yemen a jihadist stronghold.
by Victoria Clark 2010
3.71
276 ratings
The Battle For Syria
by Christopher Phillips • 2016
Syria's uprising became a proxy war: six outside powers picking sides and arming their own factions.
4.16
291
The Battle For Syria Summary
The Battle For Syria 87%
Syria's uprising became a proxy war: six outside powers picking sides and arming their own factions.
by Christopher Phillips 2016
4.16
291 ratings
The Loom of Time
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2023
The Middle East was shaped for empire, not democracy. The West still refuses to believe it.
4.27
553
The Loom of Time Summary
The Loom of Time 87%
The Middle East was shaped for empire, not democracy. The West still refuses to believe it.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2023
4.27
553 ratings
The Great Betrayal
by Fawaz A. Gerges • 2025
Arab Spring didn't cause chaos; its brutal suppression did, continuing a century of betrayal.
4.26
31
The Great Betrayal Summary
The Great Betrayal 87%
Arab Spring didn't cause chaos; its brutal suppression did, continuing a century of betrayal.
by Fawaz A. Gerges 2025
4.26
31 ratings
Islam and Democracy
by Fatema Mernissi • 1992
The Arab world resists democracy not over scripture but over a deeper terror: the free individual.
3.83
210
Islam and Democracy Summary
Islam and Democracy 87%
The Arab world resists democracy not over scripture but over a deeper terror: the free individual.
by Fatema Mernissi 1992
3.83
210 ratings
Imperial Hubris
by Michael Scheuer • 2004
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
3.81
2k+
Imperial Hubris Summary
Imperial Hubris 87%
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
by Michael Scheuer 2004
3.81
2k+ ratings
The Management of Savagery
by Max Blumenthal • 2019
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
4.29
807
The Management of Savagery Summary
The Management of Savagery 87%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 ratings
The Fall of Heaven
by Andrew Scott Cooper • 2016
Oil wealth, repression, reform: how Iran's last shah built the forces that destroyed him.
4.16
931
The Fall of Heaven Summary
The Fall of Heaven 87%
Oil wealth, repression, reform: how Iran's last shah built the forces that destroyed him.
by Andrew Scott Cooper 2016
4.16
931 ratings
In the Land of Invisible Women
by Qanta A. Ahmed • 2008
A Muslim doctor arrives in Riyadh. Her first patient hides her face, even in the ER.
3.74
8k+
In the Land of Invisible Women Summary
In the Land of Invisible Women 87%
A Muslim doctor arrives in Riyadh. Her first patient hides her face, even in the ER.
by Qanta A. Ahmed 2008
3.74
8k+ ratings
In My Time
by Dick Cheney • 2011
From Yale dropout to the man who ran Desert Storm and picked himself for vice president.
3.79
3k+
In My Time Summary
In My Time 87%
From Yale dropout to the man who ran Desert Storm and picked himself for vice president.
by Dick Cheney 2011
3.79
3k+ ratings
1001 Nights in Iraq
by Shant Kenderian • 2005
How does a Chicago teen end up in Saddam's navy, dodging American bombs, praying for capture?
3.93
146
1001 Nights in Iraq Summary
1001 Nights in Iraq 87%
How does a Chicago teen end up in Saddam's navy, dodging American bombs, praying for capture?
by Shant Kenderian 2005
3.93
146 ratings
Proof of Conspiracy
by Seth Abramson • 2019
While America voted, Trump's circle negotiated a new Middle East with Saudi Arabia and Russia.
4.28
469
Proof of Conspiracy Summary
Proof of Conspiracy 87%
While America voted, Trump's circle negotiated a new Middle East with Saudi Arabia and Russia.
by Seth Abramson 2019
4.28
469 ratings
The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran
by Robert Spencer • 2016
Iran's theology commands deception and world conquest. The nuclear deal ignored both.
3.53
73
The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran Summary
The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran 87%
Iran's theology commands deception and world conquest. The nuclear deal ignored both.
by Robert Spencer 2016
3.53
73 ratings
The Envoy
by Zalmay Khalilzad • 2016
An Afghan immigrant becomes America's envoy in the Muslim world, finding a crisis wars cannot solve.
3.64
163
The Envoy Summary
The Envoy 87%
An Afghan immigrant becomes America's envoy in the Muslim world, finding a crisis wars cannot solve.
by Zalmay Khalilzad 2016
3.64
163 ratings
Treacherous Alliance
by Trita Parsi • 2007
Israel and Iran wage a cold war for regional dominance, not an ancient religious feud.
4.12
555
Treacherous Alliance Summary
Treacherous Alliance 87%
Israel and Iran wage a cold war for regional dominance, not an ancient religious feud.
by Trita Parsi 2007
4.12
555 ratings
Excellent Daughters
by Katherine Zoepf • 2016
Young Arab women are renegotiating sex, marriage, and honor, far from the headlines.
3.88
1k+
Excellent Daughters Summary
Excellent Daughters 86%
Young Arab women are renegotiating sex, marriage, and honor, far from the headlines.
by Katherine Zoepf 2016
3.88
1k+ ratings
King of Kings
by Scott Anderson • 2025
A deluded king, a blind superpower, and the cassette tapes that toppled a dynasty.
4.33
5k+
King of Kings Summary
King of Kings 86%
A deluded king, a blind superpower, and the cassette tapes that toppled a dynasty.
by Scott Anderson 2025
4.33
5k+ ratings
The Oil Kings
by Andrew Scott Cooper • 2011
Secret U.S. deals armed the Shah and quadrupled oil prices. The world never recovered.
4.10
831
The Oil Kings Summary
The Oil Kings 86%
Secret U.S. deals armed the Shah and quadrupled oil prices. The world never recovered.
by Andrew Scott Cooper 2011
4.10
831 ratings
Resistance
by Alastair Crooke • 2009
The Islamist revolution isn't about land: it's a fight over what a human being is.
4.00
36
Resistance Summary
Resistance 86%
The Islamist revolution isn't about land: it's a fight over what a human being is.
by Alastair Crooke 2009
4.00
36 ratings
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ
by Hooman Majd • 2008
Iran's paradoxes are a platform, not a bug, built from Shia ritual and Persian pride.
3.76
2k+
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ Summary
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ 86%
Iran's paradoxes are a platform, not a bug, built from Shia ritual and Persian pride.
by Hooman Majd 2008
3.76
2k+ ratings
Enough Already
by Scott Horton • 2021
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
4.61
699
Enough Already Summary
Enough Already 86%
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
by Scott Horton 2021
4.61
699 ratings
Islam, Israel and the West
by Danny Burmawi • 2025
Not about land. A former Muslim traces the theology that makes peace with Israel impossible.
4.73
120
Islam, Israel and the West Summary
Islam, Israel and the West 86%
Not about land. A former Muslim traces the theology that makes peace with Israel impossible.
by Danny Burmawi 2025
4.73
120 ratings
The Oil Curse
by Michael L. Ross • 2012
How petroleum creates autocrats, fuels rebellions, and shrinks women's economic power.
3.96
210
The Oil Curse Summary
The Oil Curse 86%
How petroleum creates autocrats, fuels rebellions, and shrinks women's economic power.
by Michael L. Ross 2012
3.96
210 ratings
Iran's Grand Strategy
by Vali Nasr • 2025
Iran looks like a religious crusade. It operates as a nation-state with calculated grand strategy.
4.21
563
Iran's Grand Strategy Summary
Iran's Grand Strategy 86%
Iran looks like a religious crusade. It operates as a nation-state with calculated grand strategy.
by Vali Nasr 2025
4.21
563 ratings
The Prize
by Daniel Yergin • 1991
How a dark liquid wrote the rules of power, decided wars, and built the greatest fortunes.
4.44
13k+
The Prize Summary
The Prize 86%
How a dark liquid wrote the rules of power, decided wars, and built the greatest fortunes.
by Daniel Yergin 1991
4.44
13k+ ratings
Who Speaks for Islam?
by Dalia Mogahed • 2008
Gallup asked Muslims what they believe. The data upends most Western assumptions about Islam.
4.05
1k+
Who Speaks for Islam? Summary
Who Speaks for Islam? 86%
Gallup asked Muslims what they believe. The data upends most Western assumptions about Islam.
by Dalia Mogahed 2008
4.05
1k+ ratings
Monsoon
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2010
Three narrow straits carry the world's oil. The Indian Ocean rim decides who controls them.
3.96
3k+
Monsoon Summary
Monsoon 86%
Three narrow straits carry the world's oil. The Indian Ocean rim decides who controls them.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2010
3.96
3k+ ratings
خون و نفت خاطرات یک شاهزاده ایرانی
by Manoucher Farmanfarmaian • 1997
A Qajar prince's childhood in a seven-hundred-person harem. Forty years in oil. Then the revolution.
4.04
185
خون و نفت خاطرات یک شاهزاده ایرانی Summary
خون و نفت خاطرات یک شاهزاده ایرانی 86%
A Qajar prince's childhood in a seven-hundred-person harem. Forty years in oil. Then the revolution.
by Manoucher Farmanfarmaian 1997
4.04
185 ratings
They Must Be Stopped
by Brigitte Gabriel • 2008
The Muslim Brotherhood's hundred-year plan to infiltrate and dominate the West is already underway.
4.18
458
They Must Be Stopped Summary
They Must Be Stopped 86%
The Muslim Brotherhood's hundred-year plan to infiltrate and dominate the West is already underway.
by Brigitte Gabriel 2008
4.18
458 ratings
The Arabs in History
by Bernard Lewis • 1950
The early Arab conquests expanded a nation, not a faith. The empire came a century later.
3.73
450
The Arabs in History Summary
The Arabs in History 86%
The early Arab conquests expanded a nation, not a faith. The empire came a century later.
by Bernard Lewis 1950
3.73
450 ratings
Ghost Wars
by Steve Coll • 2004
The CIA's Afghan victory armed the men who attacked America on 9/11.
4.32
19k+
Ghost Wars Summary
Ghost Wars 86%
The CIA's Afghan victory armed the men who attacked America on 9/11.
by Steve Coll 2004
4.32
19k+ ratings
The Shah
by Abbas Milani • 2007
A CIA-backed restoration, a forced march into modernity, and the revolution it made inevitable.
4.23
1k+
The Shah Summary
The Shah 86%
A CIA-backed restoration, a forced march into modernity, and the revolution it made inevitable.
by Abbas Milani 2007
4.23
1k+ ratings
A Concise History of the Middle East
by Arthur Goldschmidt Jr • 1979
Three faiths, a dozen empires, one century of oil, and a conflict the world can't quit.
3.73
961
A Concise History of the Middle East Summary
A Concise History of the Middle East 86%
Three faiths, a dozen empires, one century of oil, and a conflict the world can't quit.
by Arthur Goldschmidt Jr 1979
3.73
961 ratings
Black Flags
by Joby Warrick • 2015
How a petty Jordanian criminal became the world's most hunted terrorist and the blueprint for ISIS.
4.32
17k+
Black Flags Summary
Black Flags 86%
How a petty Jordanian criminal became the world's most hunted terrorist and the blueprint for ISIS.
by Joby Warrick 2015
4.32
17k+ ratings
The Crisis of Islam
by Bernard Lewis • 2003
Islamic civilization lost the world; that humiliation fuels the rage now reshaping it.
3.68
4k+
The Crisis of Islam Summary
The Crisis of Islam 86%
Islamic civilization lost the world; that humiliation fuels the rage now reshaping it.
by Bernard Lewis 2003
3.68
4k+ ratings
Superman Is an Arab
by Joumana Haddad • 2012
An Arab feminist declares war on God, marriage, and the toxic myth of the invincible man.
3.53
682
Superman Is an Arab Summary
Superman Is an Arab 86%
An Arab feminist declares war on God, marriage, and the toxic myth of the invincible man.
by Joumana Haddad 2012
3.53
682 ratings
Putinism
by Walter Laqueur • 2015
Oil wealth, Orthodox faith, and a KGB veteran filled the vacuum the Soviet Union left behind.
3.32
260
Putinism Summary
Putinism 86%
Oil wealth, Orthodox faith, and a KGB veteran filled the vacuum the Soviet Union left behind.
by Walter Laqueur 2015
3.32
260 ratings
The Finest Hotel in Kabul
by Lyse Doucet • 2025
One Kabul hotel, open since 1969: kings, communists, warlords, the Taliban. The staff never left.
4.15
3k+
The Finest Hotel in Kabul Summary
The Finest Hotel in Kabul 86%
One Kabul hotel, open since 1969: kings, communists, warlords, the Taliban. The staff never left.
by Lyse Doucet 2025
4.15
3k+ ratings
Daughter of Persia
by Sattareh Farman Farmaian • 1992
Born to a prince in Persia, she builds a social work school, then revolution exiles her.
4.13
2k+
Daughter of Persia Summary
Daughter of Persia 86%
Born to a prince in Persia, she builds a social work school, then revolution exiles her.
by Sattareh Farman Farmaian 1992
4.13
2k+ ratings
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