My new book: A Region in Revolt
Analysis and discussion of Sudan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon and Iran
Anyone who has been keeping track of my writing has probably noticed that it’s been dominated by Lebanon. This is because, since October 17, 2019, Lebanon has been experiencing a popular uprising against the government.
Lebanon was not the only country in the region experiencing an uprising. In the same month, Iraq and Iran also witnessed mass protests and violent government suppression. Well before that, Algeria and Sudan also experienced mass protests that were able to unseat those in power.
Many have called this wave of protests a “second Arab spring” although it has received much less news coverage. Since March, I’ve been working with a group of writers/activists/academics from each of those countries to bring together analysis on these uprisings and revolutions from a socialist and movement perspective.
The project started with an idea to put out a small pamphlet, but a publisher expressed interest in publishing our writing as a book. The scope then expanded and the final product is here. Five chapters covering the uprisings/revolutions of Sudan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran, many of which are still ongoing. Each chapter combines historical perspective with movement analysis to give a comprehensive overview of each country and the conditions under which their struggle is being waged.
I am eternally grateful to all the authors who participated in this project. Most of all I am grateful for the Alliance of MENA Socialists who continue to draw activists and socialists from the region to provide first-class analysis on current events and a platform on which to build regional solidarity. It is there that the concept for this book found fertile ground.
You can purchase a hard copy of the book or download an electronic version on a PWYC basis at the below link.
We expect an Arabic translation of the book to be available in the near future.
