A request for pointers

[stonebender]

I think of my friends here as a very bright group. Perhaps this is an impossible request, but I've been thinking about the stuff going on in the Middle East for obvious reasons. It occurs to me that I'm forming opinions with less and less understanding of the situation there. Would anybody have some good places to start reading about the Middle East and the forces contributing to the mess going on there? I know people could spend a lifetime, but I'm trying to figure out a good place to start. I'd prefer online sources, but if there are some good books that would give me a general overview to start with that's good too.

Comments

[abostick59.livejournal.com]

About what's going on right now two good summaries are Juan Cole's in Salon (http://salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/07/07/gaza/) and Billmon's response on Whiskey Bar (http://billmon.org/archives/002523.html). Cole attributes to malice what Billmon adequately explains with stupidity. Cole is in general the go-to guy on Middle East issues.

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the lead Alan. They are both very helpful.