DOC The Desire of the Nations: Rediscovering the Roots of Political Theology by Oliver O'Donovan in History

Description

Fawaz Gerges' book on al Qaeda and the jihadist movement has become a classic in the field since it was published in 2005. Here he argued that far from being an Islamist front united in armed struggle; or jihad against the Christian West; as many misguided political commentators and politicians opined; al Qaeda represented a small faction within the jihadist movement; criticized by other groups who preferred to concentrate on changing the Muslim world; rather than attacking the Far Enemy and making the fight global. In the intervening years; with the advance of the 'War on Terror' and the invasion of Iraq; much has changed and; just as Gerges showed; al Qaeda's fortunes have taken a significant downturn. Revisiting The Far Enemy in this new edition; Gerges demonstrates that not only have the jihadists split ranks; but that voices from within the ultra-religious right; those that previously supported al Qaeda; are condemning its tactics as violent; unethical; and out of accord with the true meaning of jihad. In fact; millions of Muslims worldwide have rejected al-Qaeda's ideology and strategies and blame Osama bin Laden and his cohorts for the havoc the organisation has wrecked on their communities. Al-Qaeda is now in the wilderness suffering massive erosion of authority and legitimacy in Muslim eyes and facing a fierce revolt from within. As Gerges warns; the next US administration would do well to use political and socio-economic strategies rather than military means to ensure that it stays there.