This book investigates the role and the impacts of armies and military regimes in the Middle East. It argues that one of the main causes of the slow and stagnated economic development in the region is high military expenditure perpetuated by strong grips of armies on the politics of the region.

Autorentext
LATIF WAHID is Principal Lecturer in Economics at the University of Westminster, UK. He has also taught at the University of Hong Kong, and has participated in the establishment of the University of Kurdistan/Arbil 2005/07.

Inhalt
Introduction The Economics of Military Expenditure: A Literature Review Iran: The Quest for Becoming the Dominant Regional Power Turkey: Secularism with an Asiatic Connotation Iraq: The Unholy Marriage of Adversaries Syria: The Costs of the Palestinian Question Egypt: The Costs of Being an Arab Leader Israel: The Costs of Survival in a Hostile Neighbourhood