Summary:
The book provides a personal account of the complexities and conflicts in the Middle East, drawing on the author's experiences as a correspondent in Beirut during the Lebanese civil war and in Jerusalem through the first intifada. It offers insights into the historical, political, and social dynamics that have shaped the region's modern history.
Key points:
1. Hama Rules: Friedman describes "Hama Rules" as the extreme measures Middle Eastern governments use to stay in power, referencing the Syrian government's violent suppression of a 1982 rebellion in Hama.
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