The New Middle East, whatever everyone needs to know. By James L Gelvin. Oxford University Press. New York. Pp 191. Paperback.2018. $16.95

The book outlines the social, political and economic contours of the New Middle East which emerged in the aftermath of the collapse of USSR, the American invasion of Iraq, and the Arab uprising of 2010/11.

James L Gelvin illuminates the current crisis in the region and explores how the region will continue to change in the decades to come.

The Arab Spring had perverse results. While the old powers reasserted their control with violence in Egypt and Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, and Syria have virtually ceased to exist as states, torn apart by civil wars.

In other states, namely Morocco and Algeria, the forces of reaction were able to maintain their hold on power, while in Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq, protests against government inefficiency, corruption, have done little to bring about the sort of changes protesters have demanded and Daesh and other terrorist groups thrive in the political vacuum.

Meanwhile, international and regional actors have stoked the flames. These are all problems of immediate concern.

Using a concise question-and-answer format, Middle East scholar explains how this vital region got where it is today, and where it is headed in the future. This book explains these changes, outlining the social, political, and economic contours of what some have termed “the new Middle East.”

The author shows how and why bad governance, stagnant economies, poor healthcare, climate change, population growth, refugee crises, food and water insecurity, and war increasingly threaten human security in the region.