Storm from the East

Article

Milton Viorst has the eye of the historian but the brevity of the reporter…His concise book sweeps across the centuries.
—Jimmy Carter

This is the book I have been desperately needing. With my desire to see everything within the big picture, making sense of the whole conflict in the Middle East has eluded me. Politicians play with the facts, the media jockey for ratings, and religious groups insist on Divine justification. But where is the balanced view? Is there a source that truly knows the facts and can give relevant feedback, but not muddy the waters with more bigotry and rhetoric?

Certainly there is.

This is the very thing I appreciated most about Viorst’s book. He doesn’t choose sides. He rebukes the West for failing to learn from past mistakes and for refusing to consider the power of Arab nationalism. He chastises the Arab world for missed opportunities, disorganization and refusal to listen to reason. Everyone involved has made mistakes.

This book answers the question many Americans are asking: “We are sacrificing the lives of our troops to give the Iraqis democratic freedom! Why are they so angry with us?”

The book is a history book, yes. But it is very fast paced and will hold you in rapt attention. It is much like reading news articles for all relevant events shaping the Middle East since the time of the Prophet. One may argue that it’s broad scope will give no benefit to the Middle East scholar who has read tomes on the subject. That may be true. Yet I would still argue that the book’s greatest asset is that it brings the entire span of the conflict between East and West into a short book. Too often in trying to discover every nuance of information on a subject, one can lose sight of the overall big picture. The other advantage of this is that one can walk away from the book without an enormous investment of time. I don’t want big books. I want concise, ones. Reporting from the Middle East for over 30 years, Viorst concentrates his vast, first–hand experience into a short book that anyone can read.

Trite Conclusions

Maybe you have heard the following statements:

“Arabs have been killing each other for centuries. They are just inherently violent.”

“At least Americans are more humane and civilized in their treatment of people.”

“America just invaded Iraq because it wants to get rich off the oil.”

“Invading Iraq was in America’s and the world’s best security interests.”

“The only way to bring peace to the world is to take out tyrannical rulers by force.”

Viorst’s book, at the very least, sets out to dispel trite conclusions and involve the reader in a wider picture. He reminds us that humans forget the past. Before we jump to conclusions, we should be informed about them!

“Arabs have been killing each other for centuries. They are just inherently violent.”

For one, this statement is just plain ill–informed.

I would say it is true that many Arabs are certainly non–conformists. Yes. But they are not inherently violent. As one reads the book, one sees a growing violence in direct proportion to perceived antagonism. When you squeeze a people into subservience for centuries, of course they’ll become violent—especially when it is the only tool they perceive available.

It is interesting to note the Biblical reference to Ishmael and his descendants (Muslim Arabs) in this context. Genesis 16:11,12 points out that Ishmael would be “wild man” or even a “wild donkey” and his hand will be ”against“ (or some prefer to say “upon”) his brothers. While many may tout this as a demonstration of God’s disfavor, I think there’s reason to consider it a blessing! When you go beyond a surface–level reading of the verses, one could reason it predicts the non–conformity of the people. Certainly this is a Biblical mandate…to live in the world, but not be of the world. To be a peculiar people. To refuse to sell out to secular humanism.

And as for the Yemenis? Sure, they’ll kill you. They’ll kill you will kindness.

“At least Americans are more humane and civilized in their treatment of people.”

To quote the book:

“America’s self–exemption from the jurisdiction of international war crimes tribunals, and its insistence on special privileges in dealing with the environment, have left major scars. Its assertion, as a right of the “war on terror,” of authority to seize suspects secretly within foreign borders, hold them without charges or access to the courts, and even torture them has provoked outrage, even among NATO allies.”

And in another place:

“It [the U.S.] authorized a free press, then suppressed the newspapers and television that criticized the occupation. It called for a commitment to human rights but was revealed as a massive abuser of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib.”

Sorry, Americans aren’t inherently good, either. They’re inherently human.

“America just invaded Iraq because it wants to get rich off the oil.”

Although not stated directly, the book shows the American leadership’s greater interest than money…control. From the first World War to the Cold War to Iraq, America is first concerned about preemptively weakening potential world challengers. America didn’t invade Iraq to steal the oil. America wanted to control the oil and keep it out of the hands of the Chinese, Iranians, and anyone else. But to say America just wanted to get rich off oil is not completely true.

“Invading Iraq was in America’s and the world’s best security interests.”

After reading the book, anyone will see the ignorance of this statement. War can take lives, but it can’t keep people from taking lives. Not only has the American reputation in the Middle East plummeted from the occupation, but it has put a bad taste in the mouths of the entire world. One doesn’t even need to read the book to realize the security of the world has decreased since the war.

“The only way to bring peace to the world is to take out tyrannical rulers by force.”

Iraqis may have considered Saddam a despot and a tyrant, but he was their despot. They resented American insistence to occupy and control their affairs. In the minds of most Iraqis, the second gulf war was just another confirmation of the West’s crusader agenda.

Constructive Criticism

I must say the book is lacking in the most important detail. God. Viorst limits his perspective to the here and now with only passing references to the ills of “reverting to religiosity.” While I believe one can differentiate between religiosity and a genuine submission to God, I believe Viorst’s valuable insight is only near–sighted. What he deems as a failure by Muslims to cling to religion, I say is their greatest asset…if carried out as God intended.

Quoting the book:

“…during the centuries in which the two civilizations have been rivals, one drifted increasingly toward humanism, secularism, and materialism, while the other remained essentially faithful to community, worship, and the hereafter.”

I see this statement as not only true, but a grievous chastisement to the West for losing it’s soul. We have forgotten our Creator. We have placed all our fortune in building an Earthly kingdom forgetting it is only temporary.

After the quote, Viorst goes on to discuss the obvious advantage technology has brought to the West in the confrontation. However, he stops short of recognizing the potential of the “ummah” or community of believers. While the Arab world still remains fragmented, a revolution of true Godliness would be impossible to quell. Wherever you have a breakdown in community and the morals and values that shaped it, you begin an endless downward spiral toward futility. In some ways, one can see in this another parallel to the decline of the Roman empire.

Still, living in Yemen I have repeatedly observed first–hand the refusal to critically evaluate progressive information pertaining to God. If it is not expressly mentioned in the Qur’an or Hadith, most Muslims (in Yemen at least) will not even give you a hearing. This, I would say, is certainly a weakness. God has progressively given new insights to humanity forever. Why should we stop short in the 6th century and shun new ideas?

Summary

If you feel frustrated with your lack of information on Middle East events, this is an absolute must–read! It will not require much time to read, yet the enrichment gained for the time spent is invaluable.

In addition, the book gives valuable “big picture” insight by squeezing 14 centuries of conflict into a well organized little book.