Kepel (Al Qaeda in Its Own Words
) offers an erudite critique of “the narratives of both Bush and Bin Laden which considered force or violence to be a prerequisite for change in the Middle East.” The book surveys the propagation of the ”war on terror” that eventually led to “the fiasco in Iraq,” but unlike many critiques of the Iraq War, this study focuses on the internecine fighting between various national and sectarian Muslim groups, providing rich historical and cultural context for the internal regional politics that often have derailed U.S. policy. His analysis shifts to Europe, where he examines how different national policies of integration and “multiculturalism” in France and England have resulted in dramatically different experiences of terrorism. Kepel offers alternatives to the American “war on terror” that he believes will help “to transcend terror and martyrdom and to ensure the decisive marginalization of jihadist radicalism.” His prescriptions are as insightful and thoughtful as his critiques, making this a valuable read for those interested in the Middle East and current affairs generally. (Nov.)
