Since that fateful week of war in June 1967, when Israel's speedy military victory over the Arab states redrew the map of the Middle East, Europe, at least in terms of its influence in this crucial region, has been a cause looking for an opportunity (to borrow Henry Kissinger's classic description of Russian foreign policy). Europe's ongoing attempt to assert itself as a key player in the Middle East conflict has come to nought and it has failed to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table. For the most part it has not even been able to arrive at a united and coherent view regarding how to act vis a vis this conflict. Even when it has overcome this obstacle it has rarely succeeded in turning this united position into effective action. Though successive generations of European leaders have shared Joschka Fischer's belief that 'solving the Middle East and developing a real vision of peace is the major, major challenge for Europe', nowhere has the contrast between rhetoric and action been more obvious than in its attempts to meet this challenge. Inglorious Disarray tells the story of Europe's evolving, albeit stilted and often frustrating, involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict over the last half century. It doing so it sets out how Europe's role has affected its relationship with Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Arab world, not to mention Europe's Muslim population, and how it has influenced Europe's political development in the decades since it became an economic powerhouse.

About the Author
Professor Rory Miller is Director of Middle East & Mediterranean Studies at King's College, University of London, where he teaches on EU and US involvement in the Middle East. He is the author or editor of eight books and has published over 100 articles in the international media.

Reviews
'Inglorious Disarray' is a fine work of scholarship that draws on a massive array of sources for what is a definitive account of the often strained relationships between the main players. * Sunday Business Post *
'Inglorious Disarray' offers a meticulously researched account of Europe's constant engagement with Israel and the Palestinians since the Six-Day War of 1967. * 15 Minutes Magazine *
'Inglorious Disarray' is not the first publication tracking the evolution of Europe's efforts to advance Middle East peace. However... it is certainly the most detailed and most valuable account so far, offering a wealth of insights to anyone working on the issue. -- Daniel Mockli, Office of the Foreign Minister, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, H-Diplo Roundtable Reviews
A serious, cold-eyed account of political Europe's ineffective role in the Middle East conflict. Miller's unsparing analysis will provide much food for thought both for policy makers and for those with a more general interest in the region. This book will add to Miller's reputation as an impressive scholar. -- Lord Bew of Donegore, Professor of Irish Politics, Queen's University Belfast, and author of 'Ireland: The Politics of Enmity 1789-20'
a stimulating and genuinely original study that provides a new perspective on the ongoing Israel-Palestine question. Moreover, he gives insights into the workings of the EEC/EU, and the reasons for its failure to translate economic power into international influence . . . it will be essential reading for serious scholars of the Arab-Israeli dispute, as well as being of interest to the general reader. -- Simon C. Smith, University of Hull, H-Diplo Roundtable Reviews
I found 'Inglorious Disarray' extremely interesting... it certainly adds another dimension to the Israel-Palestine conflict and is comprehensive, well informed and backed up by factual evidence rather than supposition. -- Professor Colin Shindler, SOAS, author of 'The Triumph of Military Zionism: Nationalism and the Origins of the Israeli Right'
This passionate and lucid account on the EU's role in the Middle East Peace Process should appeal to experts and the general public. Drawing from a variety of sources - Arab, Israeli, European and American - it narrates eloquently European Middle East policy in action and how this policy is perceived in the region. Rory Miller does an outstanding job in explaining how and why the EU plays 'second fiddle' to any US administration's intent to on making an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. -- Walter Posch, SWP Berlin



Book Information
ISBN 9781849041164
Author Rory Miller
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Publisher C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd