American Raj: America and the Muslim World

by Eric S. Margolis

American Raj is the culmination of Eric Margolis’ years of boots-on-the-ground insight into the Muslim world garnered from his years as a journalist in the Middle East. It takes readers inside the thinking and worldview of anti-Western Islamic radicals throughout the Muslim world and identifies the historical, political, and religious factors that have played a major role in generating hostility toward the West. Employing the model of Britain’s imperialist hegemony in Asia, Margolis explores in fascinating detail whether the West risks a replay of the Raj experience or whether we face an entirely new world order.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Middle East, Current Affairs, Political Science

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2008

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

The American Raj is a critique of US foreign policy in the Middle East during the modern era. The author, Eric S. Margolis is a journalist with extensive experience in the region and has covered a majority of the conflicts in the region and has an unbelievable amount of knowledge in the subject.

The title of the book, American Raj, comes from drawing parallels to the British Raj (or empire) that extended across a great portion of the earth during the colonial era. As the British empire expanded, it became necessary to subjugate or co-opt the indigenous people in order to exploit the natural resources. As expected, the British was required to deal with various insurrections fomented by local peoples which were chaffing under colonial rule. In some instances, the British used cultural, religious, or economic differences to accentuate rifts between the locals. In many instances, the British used its military (often with the support of co-opted local forces) to suppress seditious elements. The British used their technological and military advantages to their benefit.

Margolis recounts several great Muslim revolts throughout history in order to frame his argument that the current anger directed at the West is blow-back from anger and resentment attributed to neocolonialism by Western states. The case studies of Muslim revolts that the author recounts cover examples from North Africa to the Middle East to the Philippines.

The author contends that following World War II, the former colonial powers had begun to lose their colonial satellites and soon the United States (at first reluctantly) began to extend its influence over the Middle East. Securing the petroleum from the region became paramount and it granted the US incredible influence not only in the Middle East, but with its Allies in Europe and Asia.

Margolis then goes on to elaborate on how the US seemed to establish its own Raj in the Middle East and has used various methods of coercion to maintain dominance.

The second half of the book covers other case studies in which Muslim communities have experienced repression. The primary example, and the one most crucial to developing lastly peace in the Middle East, is that of the Palestinians. Margolis also discusses Iran, Chechnya, Lebanon, Afghanistan, the Balkans, etc.

At any rate, I found American Raj to be a profoundly informative read. I am thoroughly impressed by the author's intimate knowledge of the region and his balanced, realistic recommendations for improving relations between the US and the Middle East. The book deserves the glowing reviews that it has received. I found the case studies to be great introductions to topics (like the Balkans and Chechnya, etc.) on which I had very little knowledge. The author really helped me to understand the pent-up frustration and anger felt by many in the Middle East. In most cases, it is not a matter of them hating America "for no reason" or them being irrational actors. We need to become more informed on the perceived or real injustices of the Middle East. It will help us to draft a better informed foreign policy, avoid protracted wars, and build lasting democracy in the region.

[Alleydancer07 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent expose on various hot zones in the middle east. Margolis speaks from the voice of experience, as a war correspondent specialising in middle eastern affairs and politics, which he has been covering for decades. The bibliography is extensive, and so Margolis' anecdata is fleshed out with research other than his own, which lends more credibility to his arguments. The book is elegantly written, and holds no punches when it comes to criticising the cause-effect relationships of the puppet regimes set up by western powers and the unrest of the people. Unfortunately, I don't think this book will be as widely read as it should - there is a strong sense of finger-pointing at US foreign policy, and while it is certainly justified, it isn't well received.

That said, I do think that it's important to keep in mind Margolis' anecdata is exactly that, and at times it can read as a personal account of his experiences rather than a blanket discussion on current affairs. I put that down to his writing style, and I still think the book has enormous value in discussing the affairs of the Muslim world from a point of view that isn't edited, rehashed and manipulated by the western media juggernaut. I highly recommend anyone to read this book.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent in-depth look at how the Middle East region has been torn apart for years. The author's first hand experience is incredibly eye opening to say the least. Any person who reads this book will have a well rounded balanced and exceptional grasp on the Middle East situation and true flaws in the American system that tries to control the region.

[Steve Kruppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book outlining the poor policy of America in the Middle East. After reading this book, you understand why many in the Middle East have the view of America that they do. No doubt Margolis is an expert in this area and has practical, first hand knowledge of the region. Highly recommend.

[Oleleho · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever on international affairs.

[SPstudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This author has great insight into the Middle East. Americas involvement is stupid to the extreme. We need to get out and stay out!!!

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great backgrounder. Easy to read. Undense (if that's a word). Connects some dots.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

why does it seem like everyone hates america? read it and find out.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the author's general premise and he made numerous excellent points and even had a few good ideas. He does an excellent job of telling an interesting story and is not afraid to let facts get in the way of making his points. The problem is that he filled the space in between his valid insight and good ideas with some wild aspersions, false data, and other spurious claims. This is particularly disappointing because he does have some good experience and unique insight that allows him to make a good analysis. Unfortunately he pushed it too far, which destroys the credibility he has for the parts that he actually got right. This book would be much better if he stuck to things that are true, stopped trying to name drop and talk about himself, and let his own experience and ideas stand alone. Despite the garbage that filled portions of the book and popped up frequently, it was still entertaining and interesting to read, with some valuable portions that - if carefully filtered - could certainly be useful for practitioners and policy makers to be aware of.

[Tayyaba]

Find it difficult

[Nathan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal

[Kamil Salamah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good reading

[Kumail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric is a genius when it comes to geopolitical affairs. He has his own unique way to present a fair side of both the stories in an intelligent yet unbiased manner.