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In this powerful and passionate critique of the "war on terror" in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq, Derek Gregory traces the long history of British and American involvements in the Middle East. He argues that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11 activated a series of political and cultural responses that mapped a profoundly colonial perimeter of power. The Colonial Present traces the connections between political, military, and economic power – the grand strategies of geopolitics – and the spatial stories told by the lives of ordinary people. It also shows the intimate connections between events in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq. Packed with empirical detail, and shot through with arresting arguments, The Colonial Present is indispensable reading for anyone seeking to understand a world riven by a war on terror that is also a war of terror. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Must-Read
Gregory's powerful and sobering critique of U.S. policy in Afghanistan, Israel/Palestine, and Iraq is a brutally accurate and important analysis. For any American reader molded by the jingoistic mainstream media of the U.S., The Colonial Present undoubtedly comes as a harsh reality shock. Gregory slices right through the righteous façade of policy makers who claim to go to war in the Middle East for the sake of freedom and democracy. More importantly, he exposes the unjust policies of colonialism that have generated in the past - and continue to generate today - Islamic anger toward the U.S. Understanding Gregory is essential to extinguishing the `war on terror' at its roots and establishing peaceful relations with the Middle East. For this reason The Colonial Present is "a `must read' for all those concerned for peace and justice in our time" (David Harvey on the cover of The Colonial Present).

Excellent Book
Gregory does a great job of connecting geographical concepts to recent conflicts in the Middle East, and while it is academically geared, The Colonial Present is very accessible for the average reader.While I don't necessarily agree with his argument on Israel, he is very convincing.A must read for anyone interested in the Middle East or geography; really every American should read this. ... Read more

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An account of how the frontier between Iraq and Kuwait - the key cause of the Gulf war - was decided. In the 19th century Britain became aware of Kuwait's strategic importance and used both diplomacy and gunboats to help its ruler ward off Ottoman territorial claims. ... Read more

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Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iran-Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iran-Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iran-Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iran-Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

Product Description
Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Iraq," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Iraq in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Iraq when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Iraq, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

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An anthology of articles debating issues surrounding the Persian Gulf War, including its effects on the United States and the Middle East, the justification of military action, the accuracy of the media coverage,and lessons learned from the war. ... Read more

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This is the first fundamentally new work to come out in half a century on one of the world's most famous Islamic archaeological sites: Samarra, in Iraq. This capital of the Abbasid caliphs in the 9th century is not only one of the largest urban sites worldwide, but also gives us the essence of what the physical appearance of the caliphate was like, for early Baghdad is long lost. Northedge sets out to explain the history and development of this enormous site, 45 km long, using both archaeological and textual sources to weave a new interpretation of how the city worked: its four caliphal palaces, four Friday mosques, cantonments for the military and for the palace servants, houses for the men of state and generals. ... Read more

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American and British troops are not going to stay in Iraq for ever. But what will happen when they start to leave? In this lucid and enormously readable book, acclaimed analyst Gwynne Dyer predicts that the Middle East will go through the biggest shake-up since the region became part of the Ottoman Empire five centuries ago - and argues that the rest of the world should stand back and leave them to it.Taking a step back from issues of blame and ideology, Dyer looks at what motivates the key players in the Middle East, from the various Iraqi factions through Iran, Lebanon and Syria to Israel and the Palestinians - not to mention the United States and the United Kingdom. Along the way, he shatters many myths and identifies the real threats to the status quo - such as the enormous Iraqi refugee problem, and the demographic and political forces that mean that Israel may be running out of time.Refreshingly direct, entirely non-partisan and frequently disturbing, this is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of the Middle East and the wider world. ... Read more

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Developed as a naval guidebook by expert geographers, this work is an excellent introduction to the geology, geography, climate, vegetation, animal life, history, peoples, administration, public health, agriculture, industry, ports and communications of Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

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Scott Ritter is the straight-talking former marine officer whom the CIA wants to silence. After the 1991 Gulf war Ritter helped lead the UN weapons inspections of Iraq, and found himself at the centre of a dangerous game between the Iraqi and US regimes. As Ritter reveals in this explosive book, Washington was only ever interested in disarmament as a tool for its own agenda. Operating in a fog of espionage and counter-espionage, Ritter and his team were determined to find out the truth about Iraq's WMD. The CIA were equally determined to stop them. For the truth, we now know, was that Iraq was playing a deadly game of double-bluff, and actually had no WMD. But to have revealed this would have derailed America's drive for regime change. Iraq Confidential charts the disillusionment of a staunch patriot who came to realise that his own government sought to undermine effective arms control in the Middle East. Ritter shows us a world of deceit and betrayal, in which nothing is as it seems. A host of characters from Mossad, MI6 and the CIA pepper this powerful narrative, which contains revelations that will permanently affect the ongoing debates about Iraq. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

A Book Hard To Finish
It's an okay book. I had a hard time finishing it, but I did, eventually. I am certain that most of what the book talks about are based on facts, as Ritter was the Chief Inspector for UNSCOM for Iraqi disarmament. I also happen to think that his work is full of self-preservation.

Tin Tin Meets Republican Guard
Scott Ritter gives a ground level view of the CIA/USA conspiracy to undermine the disarmament verification efforts by UN.Of course, in time one did not really need an inside scoop to realize that USA had only one goal in Iraq, and it had little to do with UN weapons inspection program. It must be noted that, this is not really an inside story since Ritter was never really "inside" and he simply observes at working level, and as a gadly of sorts, in the direct service of UN, how USA manipulates the UN resources and mandate to serve her narrow political goals. Real inside story may never really be known, but it matters little at this point.

Ritter is too repetitive and the book is way too bloated for what it conveys.Having just noticed how many books he has authored on this topic, one realizes the significance of the commercial concerns behind his writings.

Scott Ritter is always smooth, has elegant delivery and full of character and charisma and in the center of events in his recollections.Sometimes the pages are filled with meaningless details, such as description of buildings, traffic lights and office furniture.He is fully aware that UN missions are seriously compromised by USA but he always comes with a new rationale why they are so important and why he is the one to save the day.He is instrumental in inserting Israel secret agencies into the middle of the investigations and transfers sensitive Iraqi information into their hands, but does not think there is something very wrong with this, especially under the cover of a UN mission.He (UN)comes to the realization that since 1991 Iraq did not poses WMDs or significant number of missiles.This simple fact fails to slow down the decade long search for Saddam's weapons as Iraq crumbles under the sanctions.His role in this does not seem to bother Ritter too much either.

Bottom line though is, as we all know now, and most had suspected even then, the UN weapons inspection in Iraq, conducted over many years, at huge costs were nothing but theater.It was never meant to work and produce a result.Scott Ritter was right about this and it took some courage to stand up to his own government and announce all this publically when no one dared to.

Iraq Confidential
The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle EastThe Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the Iraq Conflict

After reading The Great War of Civilisation and The Three Trillion Dollar War, I read Iraq confidential because as a European I try to understandwhy the US administrations and politicians are so stuburn in their anti democratic and warlord attitude towards all the other nations of this world.

Reading this fantastic book I realized the situation is much more dramatic than I ever could imagine. Having read this book and putting the facts together with the two others I can only come to the conclusion the US itself created not only the Iraq War with all the negatif financial consequences -(not only for their own citizens and the most depraved in the rest of the world but first and for all for their own troops victim of this war by losing their life or worse surviving with serious health injuries for the rest of their "miserable" life, and all this for no reason what so ever exept the insane attitude of a few US administration and White House "dictators")- but the US also supplied the weapons and training for those they could abuse to obtain their dubious purposes and whom they afterwards(f.i. after 9/11) call terrorists.

It certainly is not the purpose of this book but it makes clear why the US citizens , victims of this system, are not realy welcome or save any more in this world.
The US politicians and the White House are responsible for these developments and a change in the White House won't change this policy since it is part of the US system.

Intelligent and honest US citizens like Scott Ritter should be heard of much more.

I certainly would recommand this book even in the meantime it is in part dated.

CIA & Weapons Inspections.
In the Preface the author elaborates on the sources he used for the book.
Some sources are named while others are anonymous out of neccessity. Mr. Ritter also writes from experience as a UN weapons inspector with prior military experience.

Scott Ritter describes the inspection process, the nationality of team members, and the involvement of governmental agencies from various countries.

He gives some history between Iraq and America dating back to 1991 and the publicized threats from Bush 41. That administration is the source of the presidential "lethal finding" which strongly advocated the removal from power of Saddam Hussein. That regime change policy was pursued by the Clinton administration also. The Iraq Operations Group was instrumental in those efforts.

Besides the Iraqi government's uncooperative actions, the author describes devious actions by the CIA.

He tells about the worst covert operation failure since the Bay of Pigs. A CIA coup attempt in Iraq was effectively infiltrated by double agents.

If that wasn't bad enough, someone blew the cover of a British-assisted SIGINT operation in Iraq.

The failed weapons inspection program can be summed up best by the author's words on page 291- "Disarmament was simply not the USA's principal policy objective in Iraq after 1991. Regime change was."

In "Iraq Confidential" Scott Ritter tells the inside story of what really happened in Iraq.

kt99l
This book is a waste of time. It is nearly impossible to read and not worth waisting your time on. Get (you can just Google it in google video) and watch 9/11 mystries instead it is far more intresting and might even get you to look at Iraq differently. ... Read more