Talmiz Ahmad

'Forgotten': A journey through Palestine's lost history and erased identity

Two West Asian commentators take a walk through remote parts of historic Palestine, and every discovery they make is a story of loss, erasure, and a denial of identity

The World After Gaza: Pankaj Mishra's book draws parallels with Holocaust

Pankaj Mishra's book sees a parallel between those who witnessed the Holocaust and those who became involuntary witnesses to Israel's 'political evil' in Gaza's annihilation

An unsentimental view of India's capabilities and security challenges

Talmiz Raza's books, 'Essays on Military Affairs' does a great public service by putting together some of his most important articles in a compact publication

The Raj and Hajj management

This is an outstanding contribution to a complex and under-researched aspect of imperialist rule as it was shaped in a specific area of colonial hegemony

The enduring myth of the 'West'

Western capitals, anxious to continue their political, economic and military hegemony in the face of emerging challenges from new players, are unlikely to pay much heed to this sobering intervention

A complex region encounters bigotry and prejudice

Robert Kaplan's latest book aims to offer a fresh survey of the 'Greater Middle East', but in doing so, it grossly simplifies complex political issues, reflecting American interests and prejudices

Anatomy of a terrorist organisation

What motivates Lashkar-e-Tayyaba's three-decades-long history of cross-border assaults? A book on the literature of the outfit attempts to provide some insights into this pressing question

A non-conformist in the political cauldron

Mani Shankar Aiyar's memoir is an account of his unique journey, his chequered career, friendships, and the pursuit of ideals that led to his unorthodox path

Islam & the spirit of non-violence

Abad Ahmad's book is a timely reminder of the true essence of Islam as contained in its Quranic verses, but does little to address the criticisms directed at the faith and its followers

The maritime realm of Oman's sultans

Seema Alavi's book sheds light on the often overlooked role of Omani sultans in shaping regional dynamics. It shifts from the Western perspective and provides us with the view from Oman

Outpourings of a deluded zealot

Mike Pompeo gets most things wrong in his book and only comes across as self-absorbed and delusional

The Emperor syndrome

Dominic Lieven's 'In the Shadow of the Gods' presents a breath-taking cavalcade of larger-than-life characters, many of whom have left deep imprints on human civilisation

The anatomy of Islamophobia

Despicable, frightening and differentiated by their false faith - Peter Osborne's book is a brave and substantial attempt to correct enduring misconceptions that have shaped Western view of Muslims

A misguided solution to the communal divide

Mr Suroor's unifocal concentration on the Hindu-Muslim divide has prevented him from analysing the reality of the caste divide that undermines the projection of a monolithic 'Hindu' community

A new look at Mullah Omar

Ms Dam points out that Mullah Omar was consistently suspicious of Pakistan, distrusted the ISI, and disliked outside interference in Afghan affairs.

Edward Said: From academic to global icon

This book is not a conventional biography; it is an intellectual history that explores the diverse influences that shaped Said's thinking

A geopolitical roadmap in uncertain times

Book review of India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, the Present

Western delusions

Mr Mishra points out that western liberal intellectuals are now sensing a serious challenge to the West-led world order, defined by democracy, free markets and globalisation

A 'Westphalia' for West Asia

Until there are changes in these two areas, West Asia will remain condemned to further conflict

West Asia's Cold War

Mr Hiro traces the histories of the two Islamic neighbours, both of which claim "exceptional" status but for different reasons