Heightened feaof terrorism, surging oil prices, and an unsettled Middle East have meant that Saudi Arabia has once again become the focus of international concern. The accession of King Abdullah in 2005 comes at a key moment in the country’s history. The tensions between the Kingdom’s regional and global roles intertwine with the dilemmas being faced at home. But for most outside observers, the country remains stubbornly opaque.

This volume is the first to bring together in a systematic way such a wide range of expertise in a tightly integrated project representing the state of the art, drawing on the insights of an exceptional cast of leading scholafrom Europe, the US and the Middle East. In a set of original and interlocking studies, contemporary trends in Saudi politics, society, economy and international relations are examined, exploring their roots as well as likely future development, in the light of ‘September 11,’ the Iraq crisis, and changing global politics.

The book integrates first-hand empirical investigation with the social science tools of politics, political economy and international relations – thus illuminating wider theoretical questions in these fields. The multiplicity of perspectives and areas of expertise brought to bear on the subject allows a balanced understanding to emerge of Saudi Arabia’s dynamics, challenges, and responses.
ISBN: 185065803X
Publisher: HURST & CO
Subtitle: POLITICAL ECONOMY, SOCIETY, FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Author: PAUL AARTS & GERD NONNEMAN

Losing Arab Hearts and Minds is a riveting insider’s account of how the war behind the war for Iraq was waged. A combination of personal military experience and a comprehensive understanding of the modern media come together to shed new light on this most divisive of wars. It is fascinating to look again at what the press told you at the time from the other side of the military curtain. Tatham has written a gripping first hand account of how the coalition planned, conducted and subsequently managed to lose the media war.’ Hugh Miles, author of Al-Jazeera: How Arab TV News Challenged the World

A timely insider’s account of how the military can lose the war of words.’ Martin Bell, former war correspondent and independent MP

In 2002-3 Steve Tatham worked alongside the American military in the Gulf coordinating the huge media offensive that preceded and accompanied the invasion of Iraq. He witnessed hoes, in advance of the invasion; the US Administration recognised the need to win over public opinion in the Arab world through a concerted ‘hearts and minds’ campaign. However, as fighting intensified, Tatham, the Royal Navy’s spokesman on the Coalition operation, gradually became aware of how badly the Arab media were treated, in particular the personnel of Al-Jazeera satellite TV, whose Baghdad offices were attacked by tank lire.

The mounting death toll among both the military and Iraqi civilians and the emerging post-occupation insurgency prompted American media managevirtually to ignore Arab journalists, Focusing instead on a largely acquiesces US press. Moreover the broadcast by the Arab media of images of dead and captive US servicemen led the Bush administration to demonise such channels and accuse them of anti-Western bias.
ISBN: 1850658110
Publisher: HURST & CO
Subtitle: THE COALITION, AL JAZEERA AND MUSLIM PUBLIC OPINION
Author: STEVE TATHAM

This is an extraordinary story, brilliantly told… [Etherington’s] courage, Intelligence, empathy, intellectual rigour, scepticism and shine Ideal Inn shine through. His understanding of the region, the reconstruction process and crucially the uses and limitations of military power, make him a superb guide through the complexities of occupied Iraq… His account should be required waling for anyone who wants to understand the Iraq the headlines never cover’ Dominick download, The Guardian.
ISBN: 1850657734
Publisher: HURST & CO
Subtitle: THE AL-SADR UPRISING AND GOVERNING IRAQ
Author: MARK ETHERINGTON