The broader Middle Eastern and Northern Africa region has entered an extended period of turmoil where states are collapsing and regimes are being overthrown. While the roots of these conflicts are long-established, eruptions since 2001 are recurring with a ferocity implying that none will come together again in a capacity of state unity. Patrick Cockburn's indefatigable coverage provides a crucial tour d'horizon of the civil wars and insurgencies that have been shattering the societies' central core while demonstrating the variety of reasons as to why these conflicts are ongoing and foremost, as to why religion in the Middle East is now the glue that holds societies together.

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame". Akbar Ahmed, a Muslim Islamic scholar teaching in the American University, quotes the words of Benjamin Franklin in a thoughtful narration aimed to describe how the U.S. foreign policy and the War on Terror has led the West and Islam to the brink of collision.

"The greatest fear is fear itself". Ian Lustick, Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, quotes the words of Franklin Roosevelt in an effort to prove that the United States has an alternative way to fight terrorism. The War on Terror has resulted in more damage than the actual attacks of September 2001. It has disoriented public opinion as well as foreign and domestic policymakers from the real threats. The US is currently hunting ghosts, allowing the enemy plenty of time to reorganize and become stronger out of the fear of weakness, which is the actual message terrorism itself implies.