Anyone Can Understand the Middle East_Book Proposal_Brent M Eastwood

8/3/2019 Anyone Can Understand the Middle East_Book Proposal_Brent M Eastwood

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ANYONE CAN UNDERSTAND THE MIDDLE EAST

Book Proposal

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD

Contents Page

Overview.2

Author Qualifications.12

Audience.14

Marketing Plan17

Competition..29

Proposed Chapter Outline..24

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD

814 Camino Del Monte Rey

Santa Fe, NM 87505

505-917-4264

[email protected]

http://brenteastwood.com/
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/mailto:[email protected]


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THE OVERVIEW


Problem: The Middle East is the epicenter of U.S. foreign policy. It is currently the setting of two

U.S. wars with nearly 200,000 U.S. military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The

Middle East has much of the worlds proven and potential oil preserves and its ability to cut oil

supply can bring the global economy to a standstill. Decades of terrorist actions have developed

an environment that spawned the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks.

Yet many people in the U.S. and around the world have only basic knowledge about the region.

Others have only a vague idea of its importance or they can not even identify Middle East

countries on a map. Unfortunately, some of these same people have loved-ones or close friends

who are currently serving there, and sadly, they have family members who have been killed or

wounded in the Middle East. It is time for a book that will educate everyone on the Middle East.

Very few books on the Middle East educate the general public using the same organization

apparatus that foreign policy experts use on a daily basis. Anyone can under the intricacies of

the Middle East after reading this book.


What makes this book different? It can be described succinctly as Middle East for Dummies

meets grand strategy at the highest levels of national security. My book will blow the dummies

and idiot books away! Readers from all walks of life will learn how to think like national security

analysts and apply this tutelage to a real and lasting understanding of the Middle East.


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No book on the Middle East has attempted this kind of tutorial for the general public. No book

on the Middle East has provided the general reader an instrument of foreign policy analysis

used only by the pros with TOP SECRET clearances. This book will give the reader the same

training that is taught to security practitioners at the highest level of the national command

authority.


Most citizens must rely on information about the Middle East from elites in government,

military, media, academia and think tanks. These institutions, either willingly or unwillingly,

practice an undemocratic form of information control.

These elites rely on a vocabulary that can be used to close off the debate and keep most

citizens in the dark about Middle East policy agendas, issue choices, and decisions about war

and peace.

These elites do not want you to know how they make their decisions. They keep citizens

uninformed. This is a significant problem since most agree that an informed citizenry is required

for a fully-functioning democracy.


This book will provide the reader with an important tool to help with critical analysis and allow

ordinary citizens to make important strategic observations.


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The reader will be taught the same apparatus for foreign policy analysis that the elites in the

Department of Defense, Department of State and other international relations practitioners use

daily.


I will reveal the same techniques, methods, comprehension, and intellectual capacity that the

so-called elite foreign policy community uses for foreign policy analysis.

This book is based on a simple acronym called H-DIME-P. And after the reader is comfortable

using itanyone can understand the Middle East!

WHAT IS H-DIME-P?

H-DIME-P stands for the main dimensions of foreign policy analysis and grand strategy

formulation - History, Diplomacy, Intelligence, Military, Economics and Politics.

The astute reader can quickly surmise how this configuration will organize thoughts on nearly

every situation, country and non-state actor involved in international relations and foreign

policy in the region.

I have taught H-DIME-P to first-year students in community college, undergraduates at

universities and graduate students who are national security practitioners. They all appreciate

the ease and clarity of this technique. It is time to give people who are not students a chance to

learn these techniques.


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H-DIME-P gives the reader the ability to organize the context, understand background

knowledge, and the ability to cut through the chatter and hyperbole of the 24/7 news cycle.

It eliminates the speculation, jingoism, partisan politics, chest-thumping, dubious opinions,

spurious conclusions and uninformed dialogue from the foreign policy debate.

HOW DOES H-DIME-P ANALYSIS WORK?

It is very simple. Again, I have taught it to everyone from 18-year-olds to retired military senior

officers who have served in wars and deployments around the globe. The following is just a

short list using H-DIME-P for the region:

History (Religion, Education, Language, Culture, and Geography are also included inHistory)

o Islamic Historyo The Korano Sunnis and Shiiteso The Prophet Muhammad and Alio Wahhabism and Salafiyyah movemento Water and Agricultureo History of Science and Technologyo Music and Cinemao Discovery of Oil in Iran and Saudi Arabiao Strategic Plans in FDR Administration to Protect American Oil Interests in the

Middle East


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o Israel and Palestine Conflicto Nassero Pan-Arabismo Nasserism and Nationalization of the Suez Canalo Baath Partyo OPEC and Oil Embargoeso Iranian Islamic Revolutiono Iran Hostage Crisiso Soviet Invasion of Afghanistano Israel Invasion of Lebanono Iraq-Iran Waro Marine Barracks Bombing in Beiruto The Rise of Islamic Extremismo Iraq Invasion of Kuwaito First Gulf War

Diplomacyo How the League of Nations after World War I broke up the Ottoman Empire and

drew new borders in the Middle East

o How the Treaty of Lausanne in 1924 set up the independence of Mesopotamia(Iraq), Palestine and Syria

o 1931 Muslim Congress in Jerusalem warning against Zionismo Iranian Majlis (councils) refuse British attempts to send Iran into British sphere

of influence instead agree to a Soviet-Iran treaty in 1921


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o British negotiations that included Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) which laterbecame British Petroleum

o Negotiations between King Ibn Saud and Standard Oil in 1933 resulted in theclose relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia

1944 Arabian-American Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)o Negotiations over nationalization of the Suez Canal

Intelligenceo Failure of U.S. intelligence to predict that Nasser would nationalize the Suez

Canal

o U.S. and British intelligence covert activity to overthrow Muhammad Mossadegh,left-leaning Iranian Prime Minister

o Failure of Egyptian intelligence in predicting and underestimating the Israeli AirForce in 1967

o Failure of Israeli and U.S. intelligence to see the build-up of Arab armies andsurprise attack during Yom Kippur War in 1973

o Failure to see the rise of OPEC and the first major oil embargoo Failure of U.S. intelligence to foresee the overthrow of the Shah of Irano SAVAK- Secret police under Shah of Irano Failure of U.S. intelligence to see how U.S. support of Israel would lead OPEC

Arab countries to execute oil embargo against U.S.

o ISI - the Pakistani secret service and its role in Afghanistano Intelligence failures that led to 9/11o Intelligence failures that predicted weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in 2002


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Militaryo First Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949)o The Suez War (1956)o 1967 Arab-Israeli Waro 1973 Yom Kippur Waro Israels 1982 Invasion of Lebanono First and Second Palestinian Intifadahso

Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

o Soviet Invasion of Afghanistano Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistano First and Second Gulf Waro Rise of jihadist terrorism and 9/11o American military bases near holy cities in Saudi Arabia

Economicso Nasserist Socialismo Baathist Socialismo The use of oil and natural gas as economic powero OPEC and oil-fueled economieso American and international energy multinational corporationso The use of microloans for economic developmento Water Rights and water scarcityo Extreme poverty and income inequality distribution


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o Agricultureo Archeology as a businesso Airlineso Rise of Dubai and real estate in the United Arab Emirateso Using immigrant labor in construction and extractive industrieso Explosion and later diminishing rates of GDP per capita in Arab countrieso American education in the Middle East

Politics

o Overview of Islam and how it affects politicso Sharia Lawo Islam: A vehicle for political actiono Zionismo Muslim Brotherhoodo Nasserismo Baathismo Pan-Arabismo Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)o Hamas, Fatah and Palestinian Authorityo Qaddafi dictatorshipo Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the House of Saudo Balance of power politicso Women and Sharia Law


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o Rise of the Talibano Hezbollaho Rise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and secularist politics in Turkeyo Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)o Dar al-Islam (adobe of Islam) and Ummah (brotherhood of believers)o Ayatollah rule in Irano Israeli Labor and Likud Partieso Grand Mufti of Jerusalemo Nation of Islam (U.S.)

WHY USE H-DIME-P?

H-DIME-P allows anyone to define problems in the Middles East; to specify alternatives; to

select policies; to study the implementation of policy; and to evaluate policy.

The reader can use DIME-P to analyze, critique, question, prescribe and even build their own

strategic plan. DIME or DIME-P is taught to senior military officers, diplomats, and other

national security professionals at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. It is also

taught at the Army and Naval War College institutions that prepare future generals for

command at the strategic level. I added the H to DIME-P because history, religion, and

culture are the most important dimensions of knowledge for a basic understanding of the

Middle East.


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H-DIME-P can be used broadly, as in the sample above. It can also be used for analyzing a

certain piece of history, a specific war, a single country or a single treaty.

Moreover, most books on the Middle East are OBE or overtaken by events. In other words,

events in the region happen so quickly and are so fluid that many writings can be outdated

overnight. H-DIME-P allows anyone to quickly analyze new events as they happen. Even a

novice at current affairs can place fast-moving events in proper context.

International Relations Theory

The reader will also be educated on the other important theories necessary to understand the

Middle East. I will explain the various theories including Idealism (Liberalism), Neoliberalism,

Realism, Neorealism, and Neoconservatism.

I have taught these theories to a wide and diverse range of students. International relations

theory is again very simple, yet essential to understanding the Middle East. People with only a

high school education will be able to understand this.

Understanding the Middle East is not a textbook. To be sure, this book is educational, but it is

not pedantic. Textbooks on international relations theory and policy often teach the facts using

historical case studies. They do not train the reader on the same constructs that national

security practitioners use at the highest levels of the national command authority.

Understanding the Middle East is not a college course. It is for people who do not have the time

or money for a post-secondary or graduate-level education, but who want to comprehend the

rationale behind the decisions made at the highest levels of the U.S. government.


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AUTHOR QUALIFICATIONS

I have written two books - one on U.S. economic policy and one on organizational behavior. I

have published articles in academic journals and articles in the popular press on the Middle

East. I have participated in a Middle East strategy group at Harvard University called MESH-NET

(Middle East Strategy at Harvard). I have taught a graduate seminar on national security,

including sections on the Middle East, at George Mason University School of Public Policy. I

have also participated in the NATO Summit as a Young Leader and served on a committee on

the War in Afghanistan. I have served as an academic observer at the last Middle East Peace

Conference in Annapolis, Maryland in 2007. I have a PhD in Political Science with an MA in

International Relations, an MS in Journalism and a BA in English.

Here is my complete biography:

Dr. Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is an experienced domestic policy and international security

analyst. He is the author of the 2009 book The Origins of Internet Video and the 2008 book

Solutions for a 21st Century Economy. He also co-wrote the "Economic Freedom Index: 2008

Report" from the Pacific Research Institute and Forbes Magazine. Brent was recently published

in the academic journalApplied Research in Economic Development.

Brent represented George Mason University as an academic observer at the U.S. Department of

States Middle East Peace Conference in Annapolis, Maryland in 2007. He was chosen to

represent the U.S. at the 2006 NATO Summit "Young Leaders' Forum" in Riga, Latvia where he


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gave foreign policy recommendations on the war in Afghanistan to the NATO Secretary-

General.

Brent was also an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University School of Public Policy where

he taught graduate seminars in national security, governance, and public policy.

He has been a contributor to The American, a national magazine from the American Enterprise

Institute. Brent has served as an Adjunct Researcher in Science and Technology for the RAND

Corporation's National Defense Research Institute. He conducted strategic policy, performed

technical analysis, and co-authored two studies for the Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition,

Technology, and Logistics (AT&L).

He is a former US Army Infantry officer and Distinguished Military Graduate with five years

military experience. Brent has earned a PhD in Political Science, an MA in Political Science/

International Relations, an MS in Journalism, and a BA in English. Brent lives with his wife and

son in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

All writing samples, a bio, and an author photo can be found onhttp://brenteastwood.com/

I have a proven record with successful project management, working with tough editors,

delivering quality work under tight deadlines, and finishing books on time. I can deliver the first

manuscript of this book 10-12 months from contract with a publisher.
http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/


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AUDIENCE

Who is the audience for your book?

My book is targeted at several demographic groups. This proposed book is not a textbook, but

it can be used for undergraduate and graduate students. The main audience is for adults aged

35-65 who are college educated and close followers of current affairs. These people read the

newspaper, Internet new sites, blogs and other information sources on a daily basis.

The U.S. has been at war in the Middle East for eight years. I wish to target military veterans

and their families. Many people have friends or family members who have served in the region.

Some have died or were wounded. Other veterans returning from these theaters of combat

have post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, sleep disorder, traumatic brain

injuries, drug and alcohol abuse, and other problems and issues.

Many are questioning why the U.S. is involved in the Middle East and why their friends and

family members were sent there to fight. Most Americans have only a vague notion of Middle

East history, religion, culture, and geography. Anyone Can Understand the Middle East will fill

those gaps. This is a huge audience.

Are there any special groups, organizations or newsletters that might be interested inyour book?

I will also target groups such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled

American Veterans, and other veterans groups. This is a large market with thousands and

thousands of memebers. All of these groups have monthly magazines and large networks of


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friends and families in which the book can spread by word of mouth. I am also a member of all

of these groups. Many members are retirees who have extra time to read and are thus

consumers of a significant number of books.

Is the audience increasing all the time?Without a doubt, the audience for this book is increasing all the time. The wars in

Afghanistan and Iraq have been some of the longest wars in U.S. history. The security situation

in Iraq has greatly improved and Department of Defense continues to send U.S. military

personnel home. The Iraqi Army and National Police are able to conduct operations with only

minimal assistance from coalition troops. After many years of destruction and hardship, Iraq is

beginning to emerge as a stable, legitimate, and sovereign nation. Afghanistan is a much

different story and it is not clear how long the U.S. will keep troops in that country.

The number of veterans from the two conflicts increases on a daily basis. More family

members are affected and this means more and more people will need some type of

explanation and tutelage on the Middle East.

Have there been any recent articles or television shows that suggest your topic is hot?There are numerous books, articles, movies, and television programs on the Middle East. The

market for this book is undisputedly hot. However, few books are designed to educate the

reader in this manner.


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Can this book spawn sequels or a series?o Anyone Can Understand the Middle East could definitely be a series. By using the

H-DIME-P methodology, readers can understand many different regions in the

world or other national security subjects such as terrorism, nuclear/ biological/

chemical weapons proliferation, rogue states, and alliances.


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MARKETING PLAN

I am experienced in designing and executing my own marketing plans for my books. For my first

book, Solutions for a 21st

Century Economy, I gave a 30-minute interview on an NBC-affiliate in

Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was also profiled and the book was mentioned in TheWall Street

Journalon October 18, 2009Shifting From Campus to Office Park.

I am used to meeting tight deadlines and I have served as a television news reporter, radio

broadcaster, and professor so I have ample experience speaking in public.

Steps to marketing Anyone Can Understand the Middle East:

Traditional Media: newspapers, magazines, television, radio Internet: I have a dedicated web sitehttp://brenteastwood.com/that lists and gives

links to all of my published books, articles, and reports. I have a Facebook page, a

Twitter page, and a blog. I am experienced using online advertising with Facebook and

Google AdWords.

Retail: I will make personal pitches to bookstores (chains and independents), gift shops,wholesalers, libraries, and corporate and nontraditional markets.

I will conduct direct sales efforts to friends, relatives, and colleagues. I will engage in direct contact (in person, by phone, e-mail, fax, and direct mail). I will set up book signings, conference seminars, and public speaking to groups, and

interviews on television and radio.

I will target universities and colleges to give speeches and book talks.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125582039800892333.htmlhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB125582039800892333.htmlhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB125582039800892333.htmlhttp://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125582039800892333.html


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Press Materialso I will make a press kit and news releases along with a professional photo of the

author and my bio.

A press kit will be available for download onhttp://brenteastwood.com/o I will use pitch letters and story angles to set up interviews, speeches, and talkso I will suggest key interview questions for the media.o I will construct media alerts when salient events in the Middle East dominate the

news.
http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/http://brenteastwood.com/


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COMPETITION

There are hundreds and hundreds of books on the Middle East and listing them in one book

proposal is not appropriate. However, I can break Middle East books down into several

categories to better understand the marketplace.

1. Academic Books on the Middle East.a. This category is exactly why I am writing my book. These books are targeted

toward other professors and are esoteric in nature. They are not in plain English

and there is very little incentive for the general public to purchase these books.

b. I also want to avoid the elitism associated with many of these authors. I want toshow that you do not need to be a so-called expert to become an analyst of

Middle East affairs

2. Middle East books Written by Historians.a. It is very important to understand books about Middle East history, religion,

culture, geography, ethnicity, wars, etc.

b. However, history books on the Middle East are quickly overcome by events andcan become outdated in a matter of hours or days. It is then necessary to always

write updated or new introductions and epilogues.

i. Anyone Can Understand the Middle East teaches the reader to analyzeinternational relations and foreign policy despite the capricious nature of

changing events.


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1. No matter what happens in the Middle East, the reader can adjusthis or her understanding.

3. Books written by veterans of Middle East wars.i. Military historyii. War memoirsiii. Second-guessing strategic, operational, and tactical decisions.

1. These books have really lost their luster in the last few years andthey have become tedious. There are countless veterans who

have published their memoirs about the wars in the Middle East.

These books are often jaded, cynical, and depressing. They are

written at a snails eye view instead of a birds eye view. This

leads to many mistaken generalities and stereotypes. They do not

usually explain the region in any detail and the reader really does

not understand why the U.S. has committed so much blood and

treasure there.

4. Area, ethnic, or regional studies.a. These books are very important and specialized, however, they do not usually

offer the reader any means to make their own critical analysis or conclusions

about the Middle East.


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5. Middle East books written by journalists.a. These books are often instant histories written by reporters who have no

strategic viewpoint and they are without proper historical context and

background. Reporters usually acquire their experience in the field and have not

conducted serious academic study in national security, foreign policy, or

international relations. This lack of advanced study keeps reporters from having

the intellectual curiosity and reflection necessary for teaching or explaining a

topic as significant as the Middle East.

6. Middle East books written by policy-makers.a. These books are often written by people who are self-serving, have their own

agendas, or who want to make themselves look good and leave a positive

historical legacy. They may be politically motivated and are often biased toward

an ideology or party.

7. Books written for the so-called dummy.a. Craig, Davis. The Middle East for Dummies. 2003. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing.b. Bard, Mitchell. The Complete Idiots Guide to the Middle East. 2005. New York:

Alpha Books.

c. Rossi, Melissa. 2008. What Every American Should Know About the Middle East.New York: Penguin Group.

i. These books are the main competition for my book, but they areextremely problematic. First of all, my books are not for dummies or


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idiots. I take my duty as an author and teacher extremely seriously. I

value and honor my audience. Many of the people who will read my

book are veterans and families of veterans who have sacrificed a lot. This

audience is not made up of dummies or idiots.

ii. These dummy books are advertised to have cheat sheets with adash of humor and fun.

1. There is no way to cheat on studying the Middle East. The readermust be willing to do a large amount of work studying,

comprehending, and critically analyzing all the information I will

deliver in my book. There is no room for humor in my book. This

is a serious topic. Hundreds of thousands of people have been

killed, wounded, or displaced in Middle East wars over the years.

My book will not be fun, however, it will be interesting,

educational, and informative.

8. Anyone Can Understand the Middle East fulfills a gap in the literature and there is nobook on the market that fulfills its objectives and goals.

i. The dummy and idiot books are sometimes very shallow. They offer somebasic facts and history, but they do not teach the reader how to think for

themselves. These books also do not teach a reader to become a

proactive analyst. They assume the readers are ignorant and uneducated

and unable to become experts in their own right.


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ii. These books can also become quickly outdated and overcome by events.iii. The dummy books can be biased. Melissa Rossis book is clearly biased.

She immediately starts her book by calling President George W. Bush and

Vice President Richard Cheney the villains of the Middle East and she

blames them for all the troubles in the region. By revealing her partisan

political leanings, Rossi immediately loses her objectivity in her book.

1. My book makes no mention of partisan politics in the U.S. It doesexplain different political dimensions and political behavior in the

Middle East, but this analysis is done with no bias or judgment for

one political philosophy or party.


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Proposed Chapter Outline

Each chapter will be between 20-30 pages. Estimated total page count is 325-375 pages.

Estimated word count is 60,000 words.

1. Introductiona. What is Foreign Policy Analysis?b. What is H-DIME-Pc. Why is H-DIME-P important?d.

How is it used?

e. How is the Middle East defined and what countries comprise the region?f. Explain International Relations Theory

i. Idealism (Liberalism), Realism, Neorealism, Neoliberalism,Neoconservatism

2. Understanding the religion of the Middle Easta.

One must know the basics of religion in the Middle East before any analysis cantake place

i. Understanding the Koran (Quran) and the Profit Muhammadii. Islamic Holy Sites in the Middle Eastiii. The struggle over Jerusalemiv. The difference between Sunnis and Shias

3. Israel-Palestinea. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the prism through which the rest of the Middle

East looks at History, Diplomacy, Intelligence, Military, Economics, and Politics

b. One must understand the basics of the conflict to understand the Middle East.


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4. Afghanistana. History (Culture, Religion, Ethnic Groups, Language, Geography)b. Diplomacyc. Intelligenced. Militarye. Economicsf. Politics

5. Pakistana. History (Culture, Religion, Ethnic Groups, Language, Geography)b. Diplomacyc. Intelligenced. Militarye. Economicsf. Politics

6. Iraqa. History (Culture, Religion, Ethnic Groups, Language, Geography)b. Diplomacyc. Intelligenced. Militarye. Economicsf. Politics

7. Irana. History (Culture, Religion, Ethnic Groups, Language, Geography)b. Diplomacyc. Intelligenced. Militarye. Economicsf. Politics


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8. Saudi Arabiaa. History (Culture, Religion, Ethnic Groups, Language, Geography)b. Diplomacyc. Intelligenced. Militarye. Economicsf. Politics

9. Syria and Lebanona. History (Culture, Religion, Ethnic Groups, Language, Geography)b. Diplomacyc. Intelligenced. Militarye. Economicsf. Politics

10.Conflict over Resourcesa. Thirst for Oil and Natural Gasb. Petro dollar economiesc. OPECd. Foreign Investment in oil and natural gase. Energy as a foreign policy weapon

11. Terrorisma. How is terrorism defined?b. Rise of Osama Bin Laden, Taliban and Al Qaeda

12.Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destructiona. Nuclear, Chemical, Biological Warfare

13.Conclusiona. How to use H-DIME-P when events changeb. The importance of H-DIME-P

Documents

Anyone Can Understand the Middle East_Book Proposal_Brent M Eastwood