Walid Phares

Navigating the "Lost Spring": A Review of Phares' Timely Critique

In "The Lost Spring: U.S. Policy in the Middle East and Catastrophes to Avoid," Walid Phares throws down a gauntlet. He boldly asserts that U.S. policy in the Middle East has strayed far from its intended course, contributing to the region's turmoil and potentially paving the way for even greater catastrophes.

Phares, a scholar and expert on the Middle East, doesn't shy away from harsh criticism. He meticulously dissects American interventions, highlighting strategic blunders, missed opportunities, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the region's complex dynamics. His analysis rings true, particularly for readers familiar with the Middle East's recent history.

But "The Lost Spring" isn't merely a finger-pointing exercise. Phares goes beyond critique, offering a roadmap for navigating the treacherous terrain. He advocates for a multi-pronged approach that prioritizes diplomacy, cultural understanding, and partnerships with moderate forces within the region. His vision is hopeful, yet grounded in a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead.

However, the book isn't without its limitations. Phares's analysis, while insightful, can sometimes feel one-sided, focusing primarily on American missteps and overlooking contributions from regional actors. Additionally, his solutions, though well-reasoned, might leave some readers yearning for more concrete and actionable steps.

Despite these limitations, "The Lost Spring" remains a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the Middle East's future. It's a wake-up call for anyone concerned about the region's trajectory and a thought-provoking exploration of alternative paths forward.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely, if you're seeking a critical yet nuanced analysis of U.S. policy in the Middle East and are open to engaging with alternative perspectives. However, be prepared for a sometimes-harsh critique and remember, navigating complex geopolitical issues rarely offers easy answers. Sometimes, the most valuable insights come from those willing to challenge the status quo and offer bold visions for the future, even if they come with inherent limitations.
… (lisätietoja)

THE SUBJECT:
The Lost Spring recounts the many failures of American policy in the Middle East by examining the Arab Spring, the Islamist threat, and the policy options available for US foreign relations.

THE SCRIBE:
Walid Phares is a leading expert on the Middle East and terrorism studies, serving as a consultant to government agencies as well as a current affairs analyst for Fox News and MSNBC. He has authored four other books and numerous articles for The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and more.

THE STYLE:
The book starts off as a harsh "I told you so." The reader can feel the Phares' frustration as hints and clues of massive upheaval fall on the deaf ears of think tanks, decision makers, and politicians. He catalogs the flashpoints that were beginning to mobilize Middle Eastern citizens against the status quo, from the self-immolation of Bouazizi in Tunisia to rising food prices in Algeria to the protests in Tahrir Square. In turn, these flashpoints set fire to civil war in Libya and Syria and civil uprisings in Bahrain and Yemen, but the American and European response of "rushing to the rebels" did not distinguish between secularist and Islamist forces. Thus the opportunity for democratic change in the Middle East began to slip away.

THE SUBSTANCE:
"The central reason the United States, the most powerful liberal democracy in the world, made wrong and unnatural choices for the peoples oppressed by authoritarians in the Arab world and the Middle East was oil. It was all about petrodollars and their influence on the U.S. political system. (This was also true in Europe and other Western societies.)" From the oil embargo spawning from the Yom Kippur War, the weapon of oil has influenced the Iranian Islamic Revolution, the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Salafi groups, the Arab Spring, and virtually every other interaction with and within the Middle East.

THE SPECIFICS:
Phares' book as but two aims: the warn policymakers of retreat from the terrorist and Iranian threats to stability in the Middle East and to press for and support the nascent freedom movements in this region. He contends that although Washington has failed to support the first uprisings (the Green Revolution in Iran and the Arab Spring), it is not too late to recover through a drastic change in American foreign policy.

THE SCOOP:
The Lost Spring expertly documents the events, discussions, decisions, actions, and counter-actions of state and non-state actors from America to Yemen. Throughout his book, Phares traces the development of the Arab Spring, the missteps by US and European powers, and alternative policies seeking to address the current events in the Middle East.… (lisätietoja)