Provides essays that cover varying opinions on the democratization of the Middle East, including discussion of the role played by Islamic culture and the issue of women's rights. Grade 6 Up—This collection of 12 essays focuses on the question of whether democratic government in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries is feasible, whether it can be imposed by the United States, and whether it is compatible with Islamic culture or even wanted by the people of the region. The articles present points of view from across the political spectrum and are primarily by Western politicians and scholars, including Condoleezza Rice, Karl Zinsmeister, and Wesley Clark, although several Middle Eastern scholars are also represented. The book concludes with a list of organizations to contact and a short bibliography. As is often the case with this type of book, the selections vary in quality; Bernard Lewis's essay on the Islamic traditions of equality and consultation and why they are compatible with democracy is a standout. This collection has a narrower focus than Auriana Ojeda's The Middle East (Gale, 2003) in the "Current Controversies" series and would be useful as a supplement to that title.— Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review: Can Democracy Succeed in the Middle East?"...this text keeps arguments even-tempered, information straightforward, and details unsensationalized."--Booklist