About the book
As its interests have become deeply tied to the Middle East, the United States has long sought to develop a usable understanding of the people, politics, and cultures of the region. In Imagining the Middle East, Matthew Jacobs illuminates how Americans' ideas and perspectives about the region have shaped, justified, and sustained U.S. cultural, economic, military, and political involvement there.
Jacobs examines the ways in which an informal network of academic, business, government, and media specialists interpreted and shared their perceptions of the Middle East from the end of World War I through the late 1960s. During that period, Jacobs argues, members of this network imagined the Middle East as a region defined by certain common characteristics — religion, mass politics, underdevelopment, and an escalating Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict — and as a place that might be transformed through U.S. involvement. Thus, the ways in which specialists and policymakers imagined the Middle East of the past or present came to justify policies designed to create an imagined Middle East of the future. Jacobs demonstrates that an analysis of the intellectual roots of current politics and foreign policy is critical to comprehending the styles of U.S. engagement with the Middle East in a post-9/11 world.
Editions of Imagining the Middle East
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807834886
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469619095
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807869314
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469602783
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890886330
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893134650
Read an Excerpt
As its interests have become deeply tied to the Middle East, the United States has long sought to develop a usable understanding of the people, politics, and cultures of the region. In Imagining the Middle East, Matthew Jacobs illuminates how Americans' ideas and perspectives about the region have shaped, justified, and sustained U.S. cultural, economic, military, and political involvement there.
Jacobs examines the ways in which an informal network of academic, business, government, and media specialists interpreted and shared their perceptions of the Middle East from the end of World War I through the late 1960s. During that period, Jacobs argues, members of this network imagined the Middle East as a region defined by certain common characteristics — religion, mass politics, underdevelopment, and an escalating Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict — and as a place that might be transformed through U.S. involvement. Thus, the ways in which specialists and policymakers imagined the Middle East of the past or present came to justify policies designed to create an imagined Middle East of the future. Jacobs demonstrates that an analysis of the intellectual roots of current politics and foreign policy is critical to comprehending the styles of U.S. engagement with the Middle East in a post-9/11 world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Imagining the Middle East about?
As its interests have become deeply tied to the Middle East, the United States has long sought to develop a usable understanding of the people, politics, and cultures of the region. In Imagining the Middle East, Matthew Jacobs illuminates how Americans' ideas and perspectives about the region have shaped, justified, and sustained U.S. cultural, economic, military, and political involvement there.
Jacobs examines the ways in which an informal network of academic, business, government, and media specialists interpreted and shared their perceptions of the Middle East from the end of World War I through the late 1960s. During that period, Jacobs argues, members of this network imagined the Middle East as a region defined by certain common characteristics — religion, mass politics, underdevelopment, and an escalating Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict — and as a place that might be transformed through U.S. involvement. Thus, the ways in which specialists and policymakers imagined the Middle East of the past or present came to justify policies designed to create an imagined Middle East of the future. Jacobs demonstrates that an analysis of the intellectual roots of current politics and foreign policy is critical to comprehending the styles of U.S. engagement with the Middle East in a post-9/11 world.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Imagining the Middle East?
History and Archaeology > History > Middle Eastern history
Where can I read a sample of Imagining the Middle East?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807834886
How long is Imagining the Middle East and how many pages does it have?
Imagining the Middle East has 336 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Imagining the Middle East?
Matthew F. Jacobs
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Imagining the Middle East is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807834886) and paperback(ISBN 9781469619095) and ebook(ISBN 9780807869314) and ebook(ISBN 9781469602783) and ebook(ISBN 9798890886330) and ebook(ISBN 9798893134650)
Where can I buy Imagining the Middle East online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Imagining the Middle East from below
Where can I buy Imagining the Middle East?