Arab Nationalism in the Twentieth Century

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Like a great dynasty that falls to ruin, Arab nationalism is often remembered for its failures, particularly its humiliating defeat in the 1967 Six Day War and the inter-Arab divisions that followed. However, this book revives the majesty of Arab nationalism through a sweeping historical account of its rise and fall. The author argues that Arab nationalism, inspired by nineteenth-century German Romantic nationalism, truly gained momentum after World War I, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s under the leadership of Egypt's Gamal 'Abd al-Nasir. The narrative traces the ideology's journey from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire to its peak during the unity of Egypt and Syria and the nationalist revolution in Iraq. It also highlights the devastating impact of the 1967 Arab defeat by Israel, which marked the beginning of its decline. The author distinguishes between the broader cultural phenomenon of "Arabism" and the political aspiration for a united Arab state that characterized Arab nationalism. He argues that in recent decades, competitive ideologies, particularly Islamic militancy, have supplanted this political desire. Drawing from a wealth of Arab political memoirs and studies, the author, who grew up in Iraq during the height of Arab nationalism, provides personal insights and historical depth to illuminate this significant period in the contemporary Arab world and its relevance to current trends in the region.