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Avi Shlaim and the Historical Debate over the "Lion of Jordan"

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The "Lion of Jordan," King Hussein, was one of the most influential figures in the Middle East during the 20th century. He ruled Jordan for over 40 years, and his reign was marked by both triumphs and tragedies. He was a key player in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and he played a major role in the peace process that led to the Oslo Accords. However, he was also criticized for his authoritarian rule and his suppression of dissent.
Lion of Jordan
by Avi Shlaim
4.5 out of 5
Language : English
File size : 2505 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 1007 pages
Avi Shlaim is a leading historian of the Middle East and a professor emeritus at the University of Oxford. He has written extensively about King Hussein and the Arab-Israeli conflict. In his book "The Lion of Jordan: The Life of King Hussein in War and Peace," Shlaim provides a comprehensive and balanced account of King Hussein's life and career.
Shlaim argues that King Hussein was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a shrewd politician and a skilled diplomat, but he was also a ruthless dictator. He was a champion of Arab nationalism, but he was also willing to make peace with Israel. He was a modernizer who brought Jordan into the 20th century, but he was also a traditionalist who clung to the old ways.
Shlaim's book has been praised for its groundbreaking research and its ability to challenge conventional wisdom. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of the Middle East in the 20th century.
King Hussein's Early Life and Career
King Hussein was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1935. He was the eldest son of King Abdullah I and Queen Zein al-Sharaf Talal. He was educated in Jordan, Egypt, and England. In 1952, he became king after his father was assassinated.
King Hussein's early reign was marked by instability. Jordan was a poor and underdeveloped country, and it was plagued by internal divisions. King Hussein faced challenges from both the left and the right. However, he managed to maintain his grip on power, and he gradually began to modernize Jordan.
King Hussein and the Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Arab-Israeli conflict was the defining issue of King Hussein's reign. Jordan was involved in all of the major Arab-Israeli wars, and King Hussein played a key role in the peace process that led to the Oslo Accords.
In the 1967 Six-Day War, Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel. This was a major blow to Jordan, and it led to a wave of Palestinian refugees entering the country. King Hussein was forced to accept a ceasefire with Israel, but he refused to sign a peace treaty.
In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Jordan joined Egypt and Syria in attacking Israel. However, the war ended in a stalemate, and Jordan did not regain any of the territory it had lost in 1967.
In the 1990s, King Hussein played a key role in the peace process that led to the Oslo Accords. He met with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Washington, D.C., and the two leaders agreed to a framework for peace. The Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, and they led to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority.
King Hussein's Domestic Policies
King Hussein was a modernizer who brought Jordan into the 20th century. He invested in education, infrastructure, and healthcare. He also promoted economic development and encouraged foreign investment.
However, King Hussein was also a traditionalist who clung to the old ways. He maintained a strong grip on power, and he suppressed dissent. He also refused to tolerate any challenge to his authority.
King Hussein's Legacy
King Hussein died in 1999. He was succeeded by his son, King Abdullah II. King Hussein's legacy is complex and contradictory. He was a shrewd politician and a skilled diplomat, but he was also a ruthless dictator. He was a champion of Arab nationalism, but he was also willing to make peace with Israel. He was a modernizer who brought Jordan into the 20th century, but he was also a traditionalist who clung to the old ways.
King Hussein was a major figure in the Middle East for over 40 years. He played a key role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and he helped shape the history of Jordan. His legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.
Additional Resources
* Avi Shlaim * The Lion of Jordan: The Life of King Hussein in War and Peace *