Eric Walberg’s acute insights into the contemporary global order raise many questions about the continued viability of the American and Israeli focus on wealth and power. Perhaps understandably, his interests and insights inspired by the Islamic world make him a penetrating commentator on peoples who are a product of Christian and Jewish tradition.

Walberg is a Canadian authority on the Middle East, Central Asia and Russia who writes for Al Ahram, the best known English language newspaper in the Middle East.

In PostModern Imperialism he exposes with a scalpel the character of Great Games I, II and III. These are, respectively, accounts of the British Empire leading up to World War I, of the Cold War imperial games between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, and of the contemporary War on Terror imperial strategising that have been the product of a remarkable partnering of American and Israeli interests.

The book may seem to some to be anti-Semitic, but that would be a mistake. It certainly sets forth facts about the Jewish people and Israel that will surprise and shock many. It does this in a manner, however, that should leave any intelligent reader with a sense of respect, awe and some foreboding of tragedy in respect of these remarkable people.

I have long suspected there would have been no British Empire without Jewish inspiration and intelligence guiding British seafaring and shaping British finance and corporate organisation. To my mind this book confirmed that and the idea American indispensability is also a product of Jewish genius.

Walberg also confirmed for me that the naivete and gullibility of the goyim, or non-Jews, is essentially responsible for many of the sins attributed to the Jewish people. Walberg makes it clear the Jewish people are resolute and resourceful, capable of “whatever it takes” in almost any situation.

One of the books most daunting ideas is that Israel has become an imperial centre itself and one that casts a long shadow over its much more innocent American partner. Through his detailed account of Great Games I, II and III, Walberg shows how the intergenerational families of global finance, which are predominantly Jewish, have been a central and defining force at critical moments determining world history over the past century.

From the Rothschild achievement of the Balfour Declaration promising Zionists a Jewish state in Palestine, to the entry of America into World War I at a critical moment, to further British commitment on a Jewish state associated with World War II, and to the synchronisation of Israeli and American interests in the War on Terror, Jewish financiers and their publicists have always played a decisive role in Walberg’s three Great Games.

This type of influence was identified, however, as early as the 13th century in Europe, in Spain, when “royal power was sustained by Jewish money, industry and intelligence.” From that time, imperial success in the Western world seems to have been closely associated with the favour of Jewish financiers.

Walberg shows that what is unique about the contemporary situation is the emergence of a clearly Jewish state with many of the characteristics of overt imperial ambition, rather than the traditional discreet use of financial power and international networks of influence. Of course, the latter is still a defining force but it is in danger of losing the advantages of disguise and invisibility and becoming itself an easily identified target of antagonism and counter attack. This point has not been lost on many in the global Jewish community who are displaying serious reservations about some of the aggressive qualities of Zionism. It also needs to be borne in mind that Jewish ethnic history and wisdom lacks any meaningful experience of imperial responsibilities, unlike the only other global diaspora with financial genius and muscle, the Chinese.

This review may be seen to have focused excessively in the Jewish dimension of Walberg’s work. This could seem inappropriate when the Great Games have tended to focus on the seizure of political control in Central Asia and the Middle East by Anglo-American interests, first British and later American. This focus is often attributed to the work of the early 20th century British geographer and politician, Halford Mackinder. Walberg shows convincingly, however, that both British and American decision makers have often been much less important than suggested in familiar histories.

It should be mentioned that Walberg covers the full international scene, offers important insights into the moral integrity and strength of Islam and has passages on new players like India and China. It is perhaps only China where he shows anything less than commanding mastery of his subject. I found unconvincing his assertion that the Association of South East Asian Nations is primarily under American influence. It displays a lack of understanding of the penetration of Chinese civilisation, commerce and associated influence throughout this region, whatever contrary impression might be conveyed by periodic political skirmishes.

Walberg’s book guides the reader to an acute understanding of contemporary reality and many of the historical strengths and weaknesses beginning to define the future.

– Reviewed by Reg Little in New Dawn 129

Postmodern Imperialism available at http://claritypress.com/Walberg.html