Dark Crusade: Christian Zionism and US Foreign Policy

(Paperback)

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Dark Crusade offers the most nuanced analysis yet written of the dangerous and complex phenomenon of Christian Zionism's influence on American foreign policy,

Despite its efforts to promote peace and instil democracy in the region, America is viewed by many in the Middle East as a dishonest broker waging a 'dark crusade' against its enemies: in covert collaboration with Israel. The crucial hostility to Arab and Palestinian interests of the so-called 'Zionist lobby' in the US has long been recognised. But it is another less familiar element in US politics that increasingly calls the shots on Capitol Hill, directing the course of American foreign policy there: Christian Zionism.Christian Zionists now influence not only the Republican Party, but also the White House and Congress. Protestant fundamentalists anticipating the end of the world, they have long made common cause with the most extreme political elements in the state of Israel. But why Jews and fundamentalist Christians hardly look like natural allies. Adhering to a feverish apocalyptic ideology, Christian Zionists nevertheless believe that restoration of the entire biblical Holy Land to the Jewish people will result the thousand-year reign of Christ.
During his eleven years working in the Senate, Christian Kiracofe observed at first hand the deep-seated influence of Christian Zionism on American foreign policy, and is uniquely qualified to assess its significance. Dark Crusade offers the most nuanced analysis yet written of this dangerous and complex phenomenon.

Reviews

'Clifford A Kiracofe provides a highly readable and welcome analysis of the important subject of Christian Zionism as he traces the origins, development and ideology of this controversial movement. His nuanced discussion of the complex relationship between Christian Zionism and nineteenth and early twentieth century British imperial policy in the Middle East is both well presented and insightful. A detailed and provocative examination of the impact made by Christian Zionism on US foreign policy, Dark Crusade makes essential reading for all those with a serious interest in the prospects for peace in the Middle East and in western policies in general toward the region.' - Edmund Ghareeb, Professor of Middle East History and Politics, American University, Washington, DC

Author Bio

Clifford A. Kiracofe, Jr, teaches political science at Washington and Lee University and history at the Virginia Military Institute. He was formerly a Senior Professional Staff Member of the United States Senate on Foreign Relations and has extensive inside experience of American federal government. His previous books (in collaboration with Pierre de Villemarest) are a history of Soviet military intelligence (1988), and a history of the STASI (1991), both written in French.