Bush in Babylon: The Recolinisation of Iraq

By Tariq Ali

Book Overview

The assault and capture of Iraq--and the resistance it has provoked--will shape the politics of the twenty-first century. In this passionate and provocative book, Tariq Ali provides a history of Iraqi resistance against empires old and new, and argues against the view that sees imperialist occupation as the only viable solution to bring about regime-change in corrupt and dictatorial states. Like the author's previous work, The Clash of Fundamentalisms , this book presents a magnificent cultural history. Detailing the longstanding imperial ambitions of key figures in the Bush administration and how war profiteers close to Bush are cashing in, Bush in Babylon is unique in moving beyond the corporate looting by the US military government to offer the reader an expert and in-depth analysis of the extent of resistance to the US occupation in Iraq. On 15 February 2003, eight million people marched on the streets of five continents against a war that had not yet begun. A historically unprecedented number of people rejected official justifications for war that the secular Ba'ath Party of Iraq was connected to al-Qaeda or that "weapons of mass destruction" existed in the region, outside of Israel. More people than ever are convinced that the greatest threat to peace comes from the center of the American empire and its satrapies, with Blair and Sharon as lieutenants to the Commander-in-Chief. Examining how countries from Japan to France eventually rushed to support US aims, as well as the futile UN resistance, Tariq Ali proposes a re-founding of Mark Twain's mammoth American Anti-Imperialist League (which included William James, W.E.B. DuBois, William Dean Howells, and John Dewey) to carry forward the antiwar movement. Meanwhile, as Iraqis show unexpected hostility and independence, rather than gratitude, for "liberation," Ali is unique is uncovering the depth of the resistance now occurring inside occupied Iraq.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1844675122
• ISBN13: 9781844675128
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Verso
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Tariq Ali is a fantastic writer

"Bush in Babylon - The Recolonisation of Iraq" is indeed, as the Rome Manifesto called it, "A Precious Jewel of a book" When searching for this book, I wanted a point of view that was not only critical of US foreign policy but critical from a non-Western point of view. It is truly eye-opening, agree with him or not, to read from an author who is not completely and fundamentally in the belief that the Western powers are just simply "Do gooders" that every once in a while, "Make a mistake." Tariq Ali gives us a history of Iraq that destorys streotypes and our own (our meaning most Americans, myself included) ignorance on the rich history of this region of the world. It was not, as streotype would have you believe, a land of passive citizens living more or less happily under totalitarian rule. The reality of course, is something quite different. Ali gives us a history of rebellion, martyrs, and revolutionaries that nearly overthrew the corrupt, semi-colonial regime if not for a fatal error in allying with the secular Baaths. Ali also, in a style both stylish and poetic, as well as powerfully dissident, completely disposes of the "jackals" and their arguments for war in Iraq. This war was about oil, control of natural resources BUT also, about imperial hegemony and asserting US control of a strategically crucial region of the world. And as for this "concern of human rights", the US government cares as much about human rights in Iraq as it did in the 80s and in Saudi Arabia today. (Just curious, but for the neo-cons and reactionaries, what's the excuse now for supporting this brutal dictatorship in Saudi Arabia? In Iraq, the excuse was "It's a Cold War man! Lesser of two Evils! Blah Blah Blah"...OK, so what's the excuse now? No Cold War, No Soviet Union, yet we still back this regime to the tilt. What are the apologists saying this time I wonder.) Tariq Ali has written a very important, extremely well-written and most valuable book that not only gives us an important history of Iraq and the Middle East that we ought not forget, but also a highly critical (and highly entertaining) critique of US foreign policy. Ali's passion for humanity is moving and his contempt for fundamentalisms; both in the Middle East and in the West, is equally as essential. Well worth your time.

Critics of this book

I'd like to point out every critic of this book is American, except for one from Lebanon. It's one thing to specifically criticize facts claimed by the book, its entirely another simply to dismiss it as 'leftist drivel.' The majority of the educated and correctly informed population of the world would agree with most of the themes and statements made in this book. Anyone who disagrees is probably (in my opinion):-A typical American brainwashed by his/her national media-A supporter of imperialistic nations-Someone who simply refuses to believe, that the great America is not considered so great by most of the world, and that the country's government, not its people, make decisions that anger the rest of the world, and that these decisions are made while keeping the citizens pacified through propaganda.

fascinating

Tariq Ali's book is fascinating. I had to put it down a few times just to digest all of the information. My views of Iraq have completely changed as I read about it's secular beginnings. He details the history of Iraq from it's communist beginnings to the unfortunate rise of Ssddam Hussein. It is very unfortunate that the Western media piants all Arab countries as religious dictatorships. Iraq is exactly the opposite. The Iraqi poetry is exceptional and I would brush up on communist thought before reading. It simplifies some of ideological movements that came out of Iraq. Wait until you read about the Iraqi Che Guevara.

Five Stars

This enlightening book is almost impossible to put down. It is a well written account of the regional history, political intrigue and of culture, with some mild focus on the current US involvement in the region. On the negative side, Tariq Ali tries to be overly diplomatic rather he seems to be afraid of hurting "American" sensibilities.

No Doublespeak Spoken Here

A must reading for all who wish to know more about Iraq's "real" history and how it reflects on the current "slog". However, those who already "know the facts" spoken by King George and his merry men and women will find Tariq's facts as another leftist's view.I would hope many people read this book and carefully see where we went wrong but more importantly than confirming our worst fears that we have been lied to by a lot of so-called leaders. It is all about oil and money as it has been with the British before and now the US. The answers are needed but my concern is who besides a few authors are laying out facts. Is there anyone who really cares about what is going on to demand some accountability?? The opposition candidates are into saying the "right thing" but they are only interested in how it will affect their polls.I would suggest if more people knew more of the real truths about what has gone on with Iraq in the last 30 years and not just what they "heard on TV", we would be demanding action. There is still time and it takes one person to urge another and before you know it we might get the 8 million world-wide who marched against the war to go to the streets again!Reading Bush in Babylon would be a great first step in understanding some plain truths without Bush's spin!