"Crisis and Crossfire: the United States and the Middle East Since 1945"
By Peter L. Hahn
Prior to 1945, the United States had relatively little interest in the Middle East. The dynamics and outcome of World War II elevated the importance of the Middle East in the American mind, and the United States has viewed the region with vital interest to its security and economy ever since.

The projection of American power into the region lead to consequences that forever changed the United States and the Middle East, with the rise of al Qaeda and the turbulent occupation of Iraq being the latest examples. "Crisis and Crossfire" surveys and analyzes the U.S. involvement in the region. It studies the reasons behind various U.S. policies and assesses the wisdom of American leaders as they accepted greater responsibilities for preserving stability and security in the Middle East.