Close Window (Click here to print or select File then Print from your browser. Book Review. The Colonial Present: Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq 8y Diana Hechavarria Derek Gregory's The Colonial Present, issues regarding peace and justice are critically examined in regards to developments in the Middle East The historical geography of the Middle East and Isiamin thoroughly detailed Consequently, understanding the underpinnings of the political developments of the last century, and how colonialism influenced political and social developments. Gregory's goal isto trace the “connections between the modalities of political, military, and economic power’ (Gregory xv). The story of geopolitics is the framework underlying his analysis of historical developments between the geographies of the Middle East, United States, and the United Kingdom, Beginning with the frayed formation of the modem state of Afghanistan, Gregory details the long historical involvement of the America’s in their history. Also detailing the violent expansion of Israel, and European designs on the Middle East, Gregory makes an excellent argument that Israeli objectives are equated with American self interest (Gregory 13). In addition, he examines British and American investment in Iraq, Utilizing the “narrative and performances of space” Gregory pulls together his analysis to demonstrate the war on terror is an articulation of the colonial present (Gregory 13). Imaginative geographies are not ust accumulation of time, and successive histories, it also includes performances of ‘space. Space is not only domain, but alsodoing’ (Gregory 19). This is key to understanding the framework of Gregory's analysis. Moreover, the way imaginative geographies impacts our understanding of values is reflected by our understanding of"us” and "them." The United States has intemalized and geographical identity of the value protector of the world, our identity of us was based on the “privileged site of universal values’ (Gregory 23). Asa result, the distinction between us and them, has blurred the distinction between just and unjust, Gregory proposes three claims that that summarize the geopolitical configuration following September 11th. Firstthe military campaigns launched by American against Afghanistan, Israel against Palestine, and American and Britain against Iraq are all wired together. Secondly, the launch of such campaigns have defined Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan as outsiders. Thirdly, the extension of global order coincides with the colonial past into what seems to be developing asthe colonial present (Gregory 28). These examples are project the way colonialismhas developed a ‘geopolitical structure that differentiates consequently, identifies others, others which arose out of an intricate web of interactions which “us” played a vital role in weaving. Therefore, the geopolitical history of the others, in his case, was directly formed by us. Gregory argues that through “torsions of time and space colonialismis rehabilitated into our own present" (Gregory 251). Moreover his critical analysis of power, and its ability to expand or collapse distance is crucial in understanding the role of geopolitics between the geographieshe examines Furthermore, he defines colonialism as constantly territorializing, distinguishing us and them (Gregory 263). AS a result the colonial promise of modemity is skewed by the division of us ‘and them, Consequently, this division as impacts values, distinguishing from inside values (those of democracy) and outside values (those not ready for such values who need to be subjugated to attain them). This conceptual analysis, sheds increasing light into the geopolitical developments of the past century and hopefully, a tool to undermine inappropriate geopolitical policy. Titled reviewed: The Colonial Present Afghanistan. Palestine. Iraq By: DEREK GREGORY, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Blackwell Publishing 2012 © Voices, Allrghts reserved. Privacy Policy j Terms of Service