Locusts of Power: Borders, Empire, and Environment in the Modern Middle East

Samuel Dolbee's book explores how locusts have influenced borders and state formation in the Middle East, revealing surprising continuities and ruptures through the movements of locusts and their relationship with people in motion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In this captivating environmental history, Samuel Dolbee delves into the intricate relationship between borders and state formation, shedding new light on the subject matter. By closely following the movements of locusts, Dolbee uncovers how these insects have not only shaped the environment but also played a significant role in shaping people's imaginations throughout the late Ottoman Empire to the Second World War. Through extensive archival research conducted in various languages, Dolbee meticulously details the environmental, political, and spatial transformations that have occurred in the region's history. By tracing the movements of locusts and their intimate connection to individuals on the move, including Arab and Kurdish nomads, Armenian deportees, and Assyrian refugees, as well as the states of the region, Dolbee reveals surprising continuities and ruptures in the Jazira, the borderlands of present-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

By transcending traditional approaches that solely focus on the collapse of the Ottoman Empire or the creation of nation-states, Dolbee offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the modern Middle East. Grounded in environmental change, state violence, and popular resistance, his work provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics that have shaped this region over the centuries. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Dolbee offers valuable insights into the ways in which human actions, natural phenomena, and political ideologies have intertwined to create the rich and complex history of the Middle East. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of history, ecology, and politics in the Middle East, and it will undoubtedly inspire further research and discussion on this important topic.

ISBN-13: 9781009200318