In a provocative, timely book, a noted journalist and expert on Arab-American affairs overturns long-held Western myths about the Arab world, and offers a doctrine to help the United States correct its assumptions concerning the region.

The strong horse: tribes -- "An Arab regardless of his own wishes" : Arab nationalism and anti-Americanism -- The Muslim reformation -- "The regime made us violent" : the Islamists' war against the Muslims -- Bin Laden, the father of Arab democracy -- The schizophrenic gulf -- The battle of ideas : the conqueror of darkness and the Arab Voltaires -- "Your children or your guns" : the Cedar Revolution and the fight for the future of Lebanon -- The capital of Arab resistance : Damascus's regime of terror -- Middle East Cold War and the Israeli strong horse.