Book Review: Richard Youngs, Europe in the New Middle East
| Published date | 01 November 2017 |
| Date | 01 November 2017 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1478929917720414 |
| Subject Matter | Book ReviewsInternational Relations |
637
frozen conflicts and civil wars, the lectures
all, this book provides another key to the puz-
provide much-needed theoretical precision and
zle that is On War.
historical comparative benchmarks.
Vladimir Rauta
Second, the book rectifies Clausewitz’s
(Staffordshire University)
position on and relevance to low-intensity, pro-
tracted and slow-simmering conflict. It effec-
© The Author(s) 2017
Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav
tively positions Clausewitz’s system of war on
DOI: 10.1177/1478929917719412
a more balanced footing in which inter- and
journals.sagepub.com/home/psrev
intra-state wars are seen as complementary pil-
lars to his thinking.
Europe in the New Middle East by Richard
Linked to the notion of Clausewitzian
Youngs. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
thinking and underscoring, a move from a nar-
253pp., £50.00 (h/b), ISBN 9780199647040
row topic to Clausewitz’s overarching philoso-
phy and legacy of war is Paret’s collection of
The aim of Richard Youngs’ book is to examine
essays. What defines the book is its range. It
how the European Union (EU) responded to
tracks Clausewitz across his life and work,
changes within the Middle East and the effects of
both in and outside war. We get to see a portrait
these changes on European interests. He studies
of the Prussian General as a historical figure
the positive ways in which the EU has encour-
who still fascinates, infuriates and puzzles peo-
aged democratic reform in the Arab state since
ple centuries apart.
late 2010. The book is divided into 12 chapters,
Moving on from the almost hagiographic
including an introduction and a conclusion.
introductory chapters, Paret delineates a
After the first introductory chapter, the second
series of pathways focused on the develop-
chapter, ‘Five analytical narratives’, sheds light
ment of Clausewitzian ideas and principles,
on the evolution of EU policies in the Middle
among which...
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