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Original wraps illustrated with map of the Gulf 15x22cm. Printed by the Trade and Printing Company, Baghdad. 63, (1)pp Arabic text. Covers good with chip and minor loss at corners, interiors very good, tanned. The influential Iraqi historian and diplomat Mahmoud Ali Al-Daoud (b. Mosul 1930) obtained his PhD in international history at the University of London in 1957. On his return, he lectured at and advised the Iraqi Staff College, and the War and Defence Colleges at Al-Bakr University for Higher Military Studies, focusing on Arab military cooperation and regional relations. During 1958-77 he also worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attending top level Arab conferences on national security issues. On becoming Director General of the Ministry's Arab Department in 1964, with British withdrawal looking imminent, his proposal for an Arab naval force in the Gulf was taken up with the Arab League. He was also involved in the Iraqi proposal for a joint Arab initiative to promote development in the low income, pre-oil Emirates, winning Saudi and Kuwaiti support. Secret British documents revealed that they viewed these initiatives as boosting Emirati national consciousness, thereby accelerating their withdrawal (Al Khaleej, July 2004). This collection of Al-Daoud's earliest works reveal the foundations of his world view, placing the Gulf central to Iraqi interests. His starting point is the idea the Gulf has always been the bridge linking Baghdad to the Emirates and wider world. Attention on the Gulf has increased lately with new nationalist movements, the Oman revolution, intensification of Buraimi and other border disputes, and Britain's exploitative, repressive influence that has created backwardness and poverty. Providing historical context to present problems, his essays include: the roots of contemporary Gulf problems; the Bahrain issue (Bahrain is presently trying to shed British influence and resist Iran's claims); Shatt al-Arab (growing tensions post 1958 Revolution and withdrawal from the Baghdad Pact); Oman revolution (significance of Bernard Burrows' appointment as Political Resident in 1953, his background, support from British conservative press, good relations with the Sultan of Muscat, British campaign and IPC activities); British policy in the Gulf and the position of Asian and African countries; the Oman issue at the UN; military operations in Oman; the Buraimi Dispute and Washington Conference; different opinions on Buraimi; Britain and international law on Buraimi; the ICJ and Buraimi. His main references are Wilson, Lorimer, Miles, British and UN documents. He followed this up with a works on the Gulf in International Relations 1961-64, and the Iraqi Revolt of 1920, both also published by the Ministry of Guidance. Rare. Seller Inventory # 4611
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