The Long War for Freedom : The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East

The first book to examine homegrown democratic activism in the Middle East.

The premise of U.S. policy since 9/11 is that we can win the war on terrorism by introducing democratic reform in the Middle East.

But does democracy have any base of support in the Muslim world?

This eye-opening book examines the history of reform in the Arab world and shows how hostile clerics, government oppression, and entrenched cultural attitudes have thwarted democratic impulses until now.

It profiles the courageous Middle Eastern activists and thinkers who have worked to introduce reforms in their native lands and analyzes their complicated current chances of success in the wake of the American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Barry Rubin (Washington, DC) holds an endowed chair at American University, is a columnist for the "Jerusalem Post", and regularly contributes to publications including the "New York Times", "The Washington Post", "The Los Angeles Times", "Foreign Affairs", "Foreign Policy", and "Middle East Quarterly".

Dr. Rubin has appeared on Nightline, Face the Nation, Larry King Live, CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC.