The Strong Horse

In this provocative and timely book Middle East expert Lee Smith overturns long-held Western myths and assumptions about the Arab world offering advice for Americas future success in the region. Seeking the motivation behind the September 11 attacks Smith moved to Cairo where he discovered that the standard explanationa clash of East and Westwas simply not the case. Middle East conflicts have little to do with Israel the United States or the West in general but are endemic to the region. According to Smiths Strong Horse Doctrine the Arab world naturally aligns itself with strength power and violence. He argues that America must be the strong horse in order to reclaim its role there and that only by understanding the nature of the regions ancient conflicts can we succeed.Smith details the three-decades-long relationship between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the United States and gives a history of the Muslim Brotherhood which would likely play an important role in the formation of a new government in Egypt. He also discusses Lebanon where tipping the balance against Hezbollah in favor of pro-democracy pro-US forces has become imperative as a special tribunal investigates the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.Eye-opening and in-depth The Strong Horse is much needed background and perspective on todays headlines.