--- product_id: 653853914 title: "What Really Went Wrong: The West and the Failure of Democracy in the Middle East" price: "β‚±5895" currency: PHP in_stock: true reviews_count: 4 url: https://www.desertcart.ph/products/653853914-what-really-went-wrong-the-west-and-the-failure-democracy store_origin: PH region: Philippines --- # In-depth Middle East history Published May 2024 Hardcover edition What Really Went Wrong: The West and the Failure of Democracy in the Middle East **Price:** β‚±5895 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > πŸ“– Unlock the untold story behind modern Middle East politics β€” don’t miss the history shaping your world. ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** What Really Went Wrong: The West and the Failure of Democracy in the Middle East - **How much does it cost?** β‚±5895 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ph](https://www.desertcart.ph/products/653853914-what-really-went-wrong-the-west-and-the-failure-democracy) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Yale Press Quality:** Published by a prestigious academic press ensuring authoritative content. - β€’ **Cold War Repercussions:** Unpacks Eisenhower-era policies shaping today's Middle East dynamics. - β€’ **Evidence-Backed Analysis:** Groundbreaking insights supported by rigorous historical data and statistics. - β€’ **Essential for MENA Scholars:** A must-read for professionals and academics focused on Middle Eastern politics. - β€’ **Unfiltered Historical Truth:** Challenges mainstream narratives with nuanced perspectives on democracy's failure. ## Overview What Really Went Wrong: The West and the Failure of Democracy in the Middle East is a meticulously researched hardcover book published by Yale University Press in May 2024. It offers a compelling alternative history focusing on US foreign policy during the Eisenhower administration and its long-lasting impact on Middle Eastern political landscapes, supported by detailed evidence, statistics, and key historical events. ## Description An ambitious alternative history of the modern Middle East Review: Brilliant Book - Explains with evidence. Statistics, key figures and historical events are elucidated upon. Ignore the review by Vlad, it’s not a book β€œblaming” the west WITHOUT providing the evidence, it provides the evidential reasoning why the author concludes what he does. Must read for MENA Studies. Review: President Eisenhower's Complex Legacy - What Really Went Wrong by Fawaz A. Gerges is really about how the foreign policies of the Presidential Administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s has had undesired consequences which are having an impact on US-Middle Eastern relations even to this very day. The main focus of this book is on US policy toward Iran and Egypt during that time period. Per the author, Eisenhower and John Foster and Allen Dulles (both brothers were his two closest advisors) were very Cold War oriented and would not tolerate leaders of developing countries that pursued their own agenda and would not explicitly side with the US against the Soviet Union. Hence, when the democratically elected Iranian President Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized Iran's oil reserves so that revenues would be used for the benefit of the country's populace instead of for American or British companies, a coup was set up to oust him out of power. This eventually led to the rise of a radical religious government as well as widespread anger amongst the Iranian people toward the West. Although General Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt certainly had dictatorial tendencies and opposed democracy in his country, he did attempt to unify the varying Arab countries and develop Egypt into a more modern and prosperous country. However, he did obtain assistance and made deals with the Soviet Union due to being denied by the Eisenhower Administration so the US took a more antagonistic approach toward his regime. Perhaps, there would be a more stable and peaceful Middle East due to the success of more secular rather than religiously extreme governments and movements. Maybe there would even be a more peaceful situation between the Israelis and Palestinians due to lesser influence of radical Islam. History has shown that the Cold War was a farce. The Soviet Union and Communism were never a threat. Ruining other countries' governments due to fear of the spread of Communism appears to have been the incorrect tactic. ## Features - Binding: hardcover - Language: english - Manufacturer: Yale University Press - Brand: Yale University Press - Publication date: 2024-05-28T00:00:01Z ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #73,719 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #285 in History of the Middle East #533 in Specific Topics in Politics & Government #562 in International & World Politics | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 24 Reviews | ## Images ![What Really Went Wrong: The West and the Failure of Democracy in the Middle East - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zH7cun3rL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant Book *by B***B on 24 November 2024* Explains with evidence. Statistics, key figures and historical events are elucidated upon. Ignore the review by Vlad, it’s not a book β€œblaming” the west WITHOUT providing the evidence, it provides the evidential reasoning why the author concludes what he does. Must read for MENA Studies. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ President Eisenhower's Complex Legacy *by D***N on 16 July 2025* What Really Went Wrong by Fawaz A. Gerges is really about how the foreign policies of the Presidential Administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s has had undesired consequences which are having an impact on US-Middle Eastern relations even to this very day. The main focus of this book is on US policy toward Iran and Egypt during that time period. Per the author, Eisenhower and John Foster and Allen Dulles (both brothers were his two closest advisors) were very Cold War oriented and would not tolerate leaders of developing countries that pursued their own agenda and would not explicitly side with the US against the Soviet Union. Hence, when the democratically elected Iranian President Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized Iran's oil reserves so that revenues would be used for the benefit of the country's populace instead of for American or British companies, a coup was set up to oust him out of power. This eventually led to the rise of a radical religious government as well as widespread anger amongst the Iranian people toward the West. Although General Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt certainly had dictatorial tendencies and opposed democracy in his country, he did attempt to unify the varying Arab countries and develop Egypt into a more modern and prosperous country. However, he did obtain assistance and made deals with the Soviet Union due to being denied by the Eisenhower Administration so the US took a more antagonistic approach toward his regime. Perhaps, there would be a more stable and peaceful Middle East due to the success of more secular rather than religiously extreme governments and movements. Maybe there would even be a more peaceful situation between the Israelis and Palestinians due to lesser influence of radical Islam. History has shown that the Cold War was a farce. The Soviet Union and Communism were never a threat. Ruining other countries' governments due to fear of the spread of Communism appears to have been the incorrect tactic. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic *by J***N on 27 July 2024* Extremely insightful, powerful, and gripping. I couldn't put it down. This book offers a fresh perspective on missed opportunities for democratisation and sovereignty in the Middle East after the onset of the Cold War, particularly focusing on Iran and Egypt. A must read for understanding the region and US/UK engagement historically. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ph/products/653853914-what-really-went-wrong-the-west-and-the-failure-democracy](https://www.desertcart.ph/products/653853914-what-really-went-wrong-the-west-and-the-failure-democracy) --- *Product available on Desertcart Philippines* *Store origin: PH* *Last updated: 2026-07-22*