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The Decline of the Anglo-American Middle East, 1961–1969
A Willing Retreat
| Tore T. Petersen |
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Tore T. Petersen
Associate Professor of International and American
Diplomatic History at the
Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He is the
author of The Middle East between the Great Powers:
Anglo-American Conflict and Cooperation, 1952–7. His current research
interest includes the project Richard Nixon, Great Britain,
the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula, 1969–1974. |
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“In this
well-written book, Petersen, a noted expert in the region, explains
and analyzes the delicate Anglo-American relations and their common
interest in the Middle East between 1961 and 1969. Despite short
turbulent relations during the Suez Crisis of 1956, a far more
harmonious relationship developed under Presidents Kennedy and
Johnson, and the two major powers complemented each other’s
role and policies in the region. From the British perspective,
their presence in the area prevented communist expansion, ensured
the availability of cheap oil for the West, and contributed to
Middle East peace and stability. Realizing Britain’s importance
and contributions to assisting the US, the parties never allowed
disagreements to disturb an essential Anglo-American harmony and
cooperation in the Middle East at all levels of policymaking. During
the Cold War, the British ensured the Americans could remain in
the Middle East for the indefinite future. However, the British
spent much time and energy in tailoring American actions to their
own specifications to serve their own long-term interest, while
simultaneously preparing to withdraw their forces. Highly recommended.” Choice
“ A most
timely and lively book, illuminating and relevant. Petersen, a
Norwegian historian of the
United States, argues from research into both British and U.S. archives
that in the 'sixties the USA's purpose in the Middle East was little
more than to buy time for an eventual Arab-Israeli accommodation,
while Britain's was to continue to reduce its imperial burden. The
Anglo-American Middle East was thus, he argues, a fruitless low-level
alliance falling well short of a condominium and devoid of common
policies other than finding a way out. In so far as there was some
measure of cooperation, most readers, given the present situation,
would have little difficulty, but will find much interest, in adding
up the cost of its fruitlessness.” Alan Milward, Professor
Emeritus, London School of Economics and European University Institute
“This book is a detailed account of policy decisions, which
led to the British military withdrawal from Aden and the Persian
Gulf between 1961 and 1969. The main focus is on British policy and
particularly on the Wilson Administrations of 1964-69. The main theme
of the account is that the Middle East policy of Harold Wilson’s
Labour Government was “one-dimensionally ideologically committed
to the end of empire”. …For specialists in British foreign
policy in the Middle East, this is a book worthy of attention.” Middle
East Journal
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Discusses Anglo-American policy in the Middle East under Kennedy and Johnson, as well as under British Conservative and Labour governments |
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Provides a historical background on the Anglo-American Middle East for the 1950s |
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Analyzes Western policy toward Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser, and toward the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf |
The author provides an extensive study of the common British and American interest in the Middle East (hence the term Anglo-American Middle East) under Kennedy and Johnson. Contrary to recent scholarly opinion, the author argues that the loss of influence to the Soviet Union and Arab radicalism in the Middle East was not the result of lack of power but lack of will. Britain, during the period of Harold Wilson’s Labour government (1964–1970) withdrew from its Middle Eastern bases for ideological reasons, namely a distaste for imperialism and colonialism. The United States, while placing great store in a continued British presence east of Suez, was unable or unwilling to prevent the British withdrawal. And as the British withdrawal gathered momentum, American disinterest toward the Middle East increased.
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List of Contents to follow |
Publication Details
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ISBN: |
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9781845191184 h/b |
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Page Extent / Format: |
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172 pp. / 229 x 152 mm |
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Release Date: |
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December 2005 |
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Illustrated: |
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No |
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Hardback Price: |
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£45.00 / $65.00 |
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