Quicksand Chapter Summary

Quicksand: America's Pursuit of Power in the Middle East
The book by Geoffrey Wawro analyzes the role of America in the Middle East from a new perspective. This is through the focusing on the entire region over the last decade instead of relying on just one country or era. The end result is a book with a defining and revealing history whose tragedy, rich irony and drama he narrates with unprecedented ease. The writer went through the archives in the US and travelled the Middle East to unearth new insights into the backroom dealing, outright espionage and hidden motivations that affected the most tumultuous instances of the last decade.
The writer provides a new analysis of iconic events that shaped the history of the Middle East and the role of America. For instance, events from the time of the Suez crisis to the energy crisis in Egypt are studied in depth. All through the narration, he draws parallels between Americas past trespasses and its current mistakes. This assertion proves that we’re in the current muddle not just because of our old errors but because of repeating those same errors.
In chapter five, the writer focuses on America’s conflicting priorities and multiple commitments in Egypt for the last decade. In fact, portions of America’s ruthless practicality and idealism have been applied both alternatively and concurrently in Egypt’s policy. The book untangles these portions with a vigor not seen before thereby showing the transition of Egypt’s strategies over the entire century. Most administrations have adopted their self doctrines, which have continuously failed due to the different events on the