3 out of 4 stars
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The World in Chaos by Chiman Salih is a non-fiction book in which the author analyzes the political situation of the Middle East, specifically the Kurdistan region of Iraq. She examines issues such as religious extremism, ethnic cleansing, and terrorism.
The author's experience as a human rights activist, journalist, and legal consultant enables her to provide an in-depth analysis of the on-goings in the region, revealing more than what I've seen on mainstream media. A Kurd herself, she points out atrocities that the Kurds have experienced at the hands of previous regimes and iterates why it's necessary to have an Independent Kurdistan. She also holds strong opinions that perpetrators of violence should face the full force of the law, a view that's popular among many.
This book's events were a breeze to process because the author provided enough backstory, putting everything into perspective. I learned a little history about the minority groups that reside in the Middle East, and this shed light on their struggles. I was heartbroken to learn that the Yazidis, an ethnic minority, have survived 14 genocide attacks. I, however, admire their resilience because they've always stood up to bullies and terrorists.
The author boldly calls out the international community, specifically the US for its role in fueling the expansion of ISIS and also questions why no Muslim country has offered to shelter any migrants. To these and many other thought-provoking topics, the author provides sufficient material to enrich her point of view. She also points out that extremists exploit poverty and unemployment when recruiting for their cause. It's evident that in most cases, one's poverty level is directly proportional to his/her fanaticism.
Overall, this was an enlightening read. It comes as no surprise that the book reads like a news report and I attribute this to the author being a journalist. Thanks to this book, I got a vivid picture of the political climate of the Middle East and applauded efforts made by various groups to restore sanity to the region. I would have, however, liked to read about the author's personal experience with extremism and how her life has changed since the attacks began. Snippets of these would've added a personal touch to the book.
As I noticed multiple errors, mostly misspelled words, I'll recommend that the text undergoes a round of editing. Unfortunately, the most hard-hit is the first chapter, which was such a pain to consume. I was relieved when I got to the second chapter because that's where the joy of reading began. I, therefore, award this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to Middle Easterners, advocates for world peace, members of women's organizations, and journalists.
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The World in Chaos
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