For Bhavna Optimus est post malum principem dies primus. The best day after a bad emperor is the first one. TACITUS Contents Maps Introduction 1 The Collapse of the Old Middle East 2 Egypt’s Long War I: The Battle Begins II: Revolution 3 The Problem 4 Israel: It’s Complicated 5 America’s Pillars of Sand 6 Iraq: SNAFU 7 Libya: Year Zero 8 Syria: The Arab World’s Broken Heart Afterword Notes Acknowledgements and sources A Note on the Author Maps