Negotiating Change: The New Politics of the Middle East

I had the opportunity to see the author speak on this book. He provides an excellent overview of the varying stages of democracy in the middle east. You might be surprised as to the progress of democratization in many countries. Iran is painted as a country which has the most cultural context for progressive thinking in the Middle East. The nuances of the Iranian tradition of Quranic interpretation are drawn out - and this should give hope to the West that Iran is not a lost, radical cause. My one complaint is that the author can be a bit apologetic at times, but overall this should be mandatory reading for those looking for a way forward in the region.

This well written study offers an unusually insightful and lucid overview of the Middle East today. It clearly reflects many years of association with the region, as well as deep and thoughtful research into the major issues shaping its politics today. Jones is one of the rare Western writers to, for instance, see the "Dubai bubble" theory for the absurd myth it is. Moreover, his well thought through views on the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas will, I suspect, prove prophetic in the years to come. This book should be prescribed reading for world leaders responsible for shaping foreign policy, especially those in the USA. As one living and working in the region, I recommend it highly.