The Syrian Rebellion

June 15, 2012

The recent Arab uprisings, or the Arab Spring, that began in Tunisia and spread to much of the Arab world have overthrown some of the most entrenched dictatorships and brought discomfort to hidebound monarchies in Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Arab states. The spillover of this upheaval into Syria elicited a brutal response from the regime of Bashar Assad, leaving an uncertain future for both the Syrian regime and the opposition. In this informative book, Ajami (senior fellow, Hoover Inst.) offers an accessible account of the emergence of modern Syria, the country's volatile political landscape, and the machinations of various forces in affecting the contours of developments there today. The author does a good job of placing the Syrian turmoil in the context of the game being played by both major powers and regional actors in affecting the course of the Syrian crisis. What the book lacks is a detailed analysis of the makeup of the Syrian opposition, which includes several strains of extremist and jihadist groups and individuals who are challenging the ruling regime. VERDICT In spite of that deficiency, this is nonetheless a useful resource for both policymakers and students of the contemporary Middle East.--Nader Entessar, Univ. of Southern Alabama, Mobile

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.