Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present

A full comprehensive, and very interesting account that truly brings the current IS involvement in the Middle East in perspective. Long, sometimes too long in certain discussions, not necessarily always an easy read. But definitely recommended for anyone who wants a good understanding of this often convoluted history and fractured relationship between the US and Middle Eastern societies.

Michael Oren does a good job in two fronts:1. Fills a vacuum in history for most Americans and for that matter, and particularly, for most Muslims.2. As a historian, needed to respect facts over entertainment, I think he achieves both goals fairly well.If asked, most people would date the relations between Americans and the Middle East to the last few decades. As Oren explains, nothing is farther from the truth. The relationship has certainly changed, but it has always been there. Initially through missionaries, merchants and explorers, and lately diplomatically and militarily.This relationship, according to Oren has quite often been one-sided. After failing to convert Muslims, Americans established Universities and institutions that helped Middle Easterners integrate to modern life, often with great success.In many ways, some aspects of this relationship has not changed. While the UK was paying "protection" money to the Barbary states so they would not attack their ships, when America became independent, its commercial ships became targets of the same pirates. The decision of whether to pay or fight was not an easy one, and in many ways reflects similar more recent situations. In any event, few people know that Tripoli (the Barbary States) was the first entity to declare war to America back in 1801.Oren uses three elements to explain this relationship: Power, Faith and Fantasy. The increased power that America wielded is obviously a factor that plays a central role, but very different from the one wielded by the Europeans, who always saw in the Middle East a source for their resources. It can be said that more often than not, the US applied force was to rescue or improve the lives of Muslims.Faith also played a central role in two ways. On one hand, missionaries risked everything to spread their faith and saw in the Holy Land a place whose rightful owner were the Jews. At the state level, Oren describes the decision making process of several US presidents, who often had to find a balance between pragmatism and beliefs.The aspect that can arguably explain the US-Middle East relationship is what Oren calls Fantasy, represented in literature, movies and initially in international expositions. Oren argues that art reflects the perception that Americans have of the Middle East. Initially remote and sensuous, and more recently, permeated with fanaticism and terror. One can argue that a movie about terrorism as a historic document doesn't have much value, but Oren is out there to put some "salt" on something that has been cooked already with facts, and that makes it more interesting.Perhaps where the book is not as objective is in the more recent history. The author over-emphasizes the importance Arabs give to the presence of Israel in the Middle East as a source of many of the grievances. Since it was written before the "Arab Spring," it is clear to many that the biggest problems of Arabs and Muslims is not external, that their sufferings are often self-inflicted, and that they have forgotten what Americans have done for them in over 200 years.All in all, it's an easy reading for people interested in understanding a region that like it or not, in our time has become our virtual neighbor.

Finishing this superb treatise has left me nearly mute. How can one man know his subject so well and share the information so readily? After seizing upon original insights does one not keep them to one's self and savor, at least awhile, their enlightening truths? Not so, apparently, with this brilliant researcher, historian and storyteller. He shares his conclusions on every page, studded with the vocabulary of a Mensa fanatic.I learned more U. S. History than expected. Not just facts, but subtle nuances and striking interactions which leap out at the intent reader. For no other author have I so lamented nearing the final pages of the book. Michael B. Oren is a joy to read in every work he has written. Having now read them all, I think I shall reread his latest, ALLY. It endears one to Oren and makes one hope that he has another book ready for the publisher.

Power, Faith, and Fantasy is a strong 4, weak 5 star book. Oren does an excellent job going over the history and bringing events together in a natural way, but Oren really centers his efforts on the founding of Israel and the frustrations of American presidents after that founding in balancing the, often contradictory, interests of oil, fighting the Commies, defense of Israel, and still promoting democracy and human rights in the region (usually in that order).What I found most interesting was the extent of American travels in the region and our general prestige in the area to a certain extent. The history of educational institutions founded by Americans and the relatively good natured religious missionary presence goes much longer back, essentially to the late 1700s, than I would have thought.The frequency of minor military excursions into the region I also found fascinating, and was a different aspect of seeing them all compiled in the same book as opposed to reading about them separately. Also interestingly, it is astonishing how quickly the animosity is shifted from the British/French/Imperialists is turned toward the US following the end of WWII and founding of Israel. This is common knowledge almost now, but actually remarkable given our 'footprint' in the region compared to hundred years ago (imagine, a US army occupying Egypt now). While US has certainly had its adventures in the region, they are nothing compared to the European incursions as late as 50 years ago (except Iraq, as it turns out).I did find the book to be frustrating on some topics though. For example, following the Holocaust there were floods of refugees trying to leave Germany. Oren discusses the challenges in finding homes for them all, but doesn't discuss why the US, considered a favored spot for many Jewish refugees (second only to Palestine), was still under immigration quotas and only allowed in a trickle of all displaced persons needing a new home. This is a big point, and one must wonder what would become of the Zionist movement, and the founding of Israel in particular, if the US were more willing to welcome Jewish displaced persons.Maps were oddly lacking for a book on the Middle East. There were only 2-3 in the first few pages as reference, and were quickly forgotten. For a region that sees considerable changes in territory and control, sometimes differing from year to year, it was frustrating to not be able to follow changes as closely as I would have liked.The book largely focuses around Israel, and the founding of it is really seen as a changing point and climax for the book, or at least the event where everything pivots. While not necessarily a bad thing, to title the book "America in the Middle East," and then focus so much on the Zionist movement and Israel, I had to change my expectations for the book. On buying the book, I was hoping to learn more about American involvement in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc. There was some of this in there, but it seemed to be of secondary importance to Israel.In the end, it really is a fantastic book, but left some minor questions that should have been explored by the author but for some reason weren't. But to say it covers all the Middle East is not entirely accurate. There is some discussion, and the last chapters go president by president in interactions with the Mid East, but not in depth (which, come to think of it, even the author admits in the opening chapter).

For a long time I have wondered about the link between Middle East and America, surely it can not be all hatred?This is an amazing book which is well thoroughly researched. The contribution of Islam goes to the core of the American constitution "all men are equal" a passage from the Quran.If the Muslim could receive America with an open arm after its independence from the British rule, the geopolitics of the world would have been shaped differently. Instead of promoting north African pirates if the Ottoman had a professional navel the Mediterranean would have had a different story to tell.The Arabs blame America as bias towards Israel, it was the ability of the American Jews to broker deals between USA and Middle East that handed the Jews with a powerful influence in American foreign policies. If anything Ottoman arrogance is to blame for much of the double standards that is often the accusation made towards the west. What this book does is explains brilliantly fact that are not known and only now is being revealed to the world What Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response An Englishman in RiyadhWhat Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern ResponseAn Englishman in Riyadh

Der israelische Historiker und Diplomat Michael Oren, der mit „Six Days of War“ ein Standardwerk über den Sechstagekrieg verfasst hat, legt mit diesem Buch eine Gesamtdarstellung über die vielfältigen Beziehungen der Vereinigten Staaten mit dem Orient vor. Von der zweiten Hälfte des 18. Jahrhunderts bis zum Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts reicht der zeitliche Rahmen, den der Autor dabei abdeckt.Um die Komplexität dieser Beziehungen in ihrer Gesamtheit erfassen zu können, gliedert Oren seinen Ansatz in drei Dimensionen auf, die sich sowohl wechselseitig ergänzen als auch in einem Spannungsverhältnis zueinanderstehen. Die "Macht“, der "Glaube“ und die "Phantasie“ bilden einen dreidimensionalen Raum, in welchem sich die Geschichte entfaltet. Oren behandelt in diesem historischen Raum eine Vielzahl von Gestalten und Persönlichkeiten. Zu ihnen gehören beispielsweise Abenteurer, Entdecker, Missionare, Diplomaten, Politiker, Schriftsteller oder auch ganz normale Touristen.Die erste machtpolitische Auseinandersetzung ergab sich hierbei am Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts, als die gerade entstandene U.S. Navy gegen nordafrikanische Piraten und deren staatliche Unterstützer vorging. Der militärische Erfolg in den Barbareskenkriegen förderte das Selbstbewusstsein der noch jungen Nation.Zudem wurde der Orient für amerikanische Missionare zu einem gelobten Land. Die Missionierungsversuche blieben zwar weitgehend erfolglos, was die christlichen Kirchenvertreter allerdings nicht daran hinderte, zahlreiche Schulen und Hospitäler zu errichten. Außer dem Wort Gottes verbreiteten sie Grundsätze der amerikanischen Zivilreligion, zu denen Freiheit, Unabhängigkeit, Demokratie und eine nationale Identität zählten.Die Phantasie der Amerikaner am sagenumwobenen Morgenland wurde durch die Lektüre von ganz unterschiedlichen Texten angeregt. So sorgten die Bibel, Märchen, Romane oder Reiseberichte für eine romantische Verklärung des Orients in der "Neuen Welt“. Entsprechend groß war für viele Amerikaner die Ernüchterung, wenn sie direkt mit der harten Wirklichkeit in der Region konfrontiert wurden.Der Konflikt zwischen Phantasie und Realität akzentuierte sich im Verlauf des 20. Jahrhunderts noch deutlicher. Während die USA versuchten, sich gegenüber dem Osmanischen Reich neutral zu verhalten, geriet der Orient immer stärker in den machtpolitischen Strudel der europäischen Großmächte. Die geopolitische und geoökonomische Bedeutung der Region, für die sich nun der von Konteradmiral Alfred Mahan geschaffene Begriff des "Mittleren Ostens“ durchzusetzen begann, nahm stetig zu. Die Neutralität der Vereinigten Staaten geriet immer stärker unter Druck, bis sie schließlich während des Zweiten Weltkrieges aufgegeben werden musste.Im Folgenden gerieten die USA zwischen alle Fronten. Der jüdische Zionismus, der arabische Nationalismus und später ein sich rasch radikalisierender islamischer Fundamentalismus stellten eine ernste Herausforderung für die amerikanische Außenpolitik dar. Gleichzeitig musste sich diese auch noch mit der Eindämmung der Sowjetunion im Mittleren Osten beschäftigen und das alles, ohne die idealistischen Traditionen und Zielsetzungen der USA aus den Augen zu verlieren.In einem solchen Hexenkessel konnte dies lediglich teilweise gelingen. Selbst die amerikanische Filmindustrie, welche die ungebrochene Phantasie der Amerikaner jetzt am meisten beeinflusste, schwankte in ihren Produktionen zwischen Romantik und Terror hin und her.Der letzte Abschnitt seiner Arbeit, der zeitlich nach der Staatsgründung Israels einsetzt, wird von Oren nur noch oberflächlich ausgeführt. Diesen Abschnitt hätte der Autor ausführlicher abhandeln müssen, ohne in ein Zeitraffertempo zu verfallen.Auch wäre es gelegentlich wünschenswert gewesen, wenn Oren das Verhältnis der Vereinigten Staaten zum Mittleren Osten weniger idealistisch dargestellt hätte. Eine vertiefte realpolitische Analyse wäre durchaus angebracht gewesen. Diese beiden Kritikpunkte können den positiven Gesamteindruck aber kaum relativieren. Michael Oren ist es gelungen, dem Leser einen guten Überblick über das komplexe Verhältnis der USA zum Mittleren Osten zu geben. Sein Buch vermeidet vereinfachende Erklärungsansätze, wie den der "Israel-Lobby“ oder den der "Saudi-Lobby“, und ermöglicht einen besseren Einblick in die Materie. Schon aus diesem Grund ist es absolut empfehlenswert.Jürgen Rupp

Michael Oren does a phenomenal job of researching and describing in vivid detail the historical events during the Ottoman Empire, in showing the roots of Muslim intolerance toward the West, and the early roots of terrorism, and the East's rejection of the West. In line with other great Historians on the clash of Muslim Countries with Judeo-Christian based ones, like Bernard Lewis' work.

Michael Oren is very good. he make you feel like in the place. He gives you all information regarding the issue. when he writes make you have a sensation that you are in the story.

Highly recommended and comprehensive read by an ace historian.