Islamism: What It Means for the Middle East and the World

Osman, a political counselor and essayist, reviews the rise, and challenges of Islamism in the Middle East in this informative work, covering Islamism from the founding of the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1920s to current elections in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. Osman is well-versed in the political dynamics of the Middle East and his prose is deliberate and lucid, though possibly too deliberate for the general reader. The book provides useful context as it strives to be comprehensive, considering perspectives from Turkey, Iran, Gulf countries, secularists, and non-Muslim minorities; this analysis of the interplay among various countries in the region is truly fascinating. Osman’s attempt at comprehensiveness, however, leaves the narrative feeling overweight toward North Africa (rather than the countries of the Levant) and at times it reads like a list of quick summaries. His focus on providing context makes his speculations and predictions feel brief, offering only a few unique insights, not explored with greater depth in other sources. Still, readers interested in the Middle East and unfamiliar with the depth of geopolitical strife behind the headlines will find this a helpful and clear introduction. (Feb.)