The Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the continuing US-Iraqi confrontation, the changing political dynamics in Iran, recent Pakistani-Indian hostilities, and Osama bin Laden - all of these have one important common denominator: significant strands of their origins can be traced to the tumultuous year of 1979. This books offers a new paradigm for studying modern Middle East history by arguing that the year 1979 is perhaps the most important watershed in the post-WWII Middle East. In that year alone, the Middle East witnessed the culmination of the Iranian revolution, the conclusion of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, all having long-term repercussions that are abundantly present to this day in Middle East society and politics, and in the relations between the Middle East and the United States.

Lesch shows no special biases toward the US or its allies in the Middle East. Instead, he presents a compendium of official documents and interview material which places certain key Middle East situations in perspective. The book certainly gave me a clearer insight into why the US is both liked and disliked by nearly all countries and, while gaining a better understanding of other nation's positions, also showed that there is no clear and easy solution to the problems there. In particular, we are given insights that the animosities held toward the US are actually animosities held against the West, in general. Further, these grievances date back, not to the 1948 beginning of the Israeli state, but back to the post-WW1 settlements and further. In the light of recent events, strongly recommended reading for all Americans.