Quicksand: America's Pursuit of Power in the Middle East
Wawro is a historian whose previous works have focused upon warfare in nineteenth-century Europe; viewers of the History Channel may also recognize him as the telegenic host of Hardcover History and other programs. In this book, Wawro tackles the formidable challenge of writing a comprehensive history of American involvement in the Middle East. In many ways an attempt to explain the historical genesis of the bind in which the U.S. currently finds itself, the author’s main narrative threads are the U.S.’ complicated and often conflicting relationships with Israel and Saudi Arabia. All else, he suggests, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and perennial tensions with Iran, is to some extent a collateral consequence of these Israeli and Saudi allegiances. Noting many parallels between past mistakes and present challenges, this selection culminates in an earnest argument for a more coherent and historically honest foreign policy going forward. It’s an ambitious project, but Wawro’s considerable talent for seamlessly blending military, social, and political history (as well as his extensive archival elbow grease) makes it a success. --Brendan Driscoll