Embarking on a reflective journey through the memories and heirlooms passed down through generations within one’s family can lead to a profound exploration of the historical narrative embedded in one’s heritage.

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi, a distinguished US historian of the Middle East, stands as a monumental account, representing the first comprehensive history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from an explicitly Palestinian perspective. Khalidi’s familial connection to the history of the region adds a personal and unique dimension to his groundbreaking narrative.

In crafting this extraordinary work, Khalidi draws on a wealth of archival materials and firsthand accounts from his eminent family members, including mayors, judges, scholars, diplomats, and journalists. This meticulous approach not only adds originality and depth to the book but also imparts an authoritative touch to the narrative.

The journey through time commences in 1899 with a poignant letter from Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi, the mayor of Jerusalem and the great-great-uncle of the author. In this letter, al-Khalidi warns Zionist founder Theodore Herzl about the perilous consequences of the Zionist movement’s ambition to establish a Jewish national home in Palestine.

This moment, according to Khalidi, serves as the prologue to the prevailing Zionist narrative, marked by the dismissal of indigenous populations and their interests as inconsequential. Khalidi provides a meaningful reflection on this letter, offering his unique and authentic perspective.

Weaving together personal history with pivotal events that have shaped the conflict, Khalidi challenges conventional interpretations that frame the Israeli-Palestinian conflict merely as a tragic clash of competing nationalisms. Instead, he unfolds a narrative of colonial warfare waged against the Palestinians, underscoring its underappreciated centrality to the issue.

This colonial campaign, initiated by the Zionist movement and later endorsed by the state of Israel with the support of influential global powers, including Britain and the United States, becomes a focal point of Khalidi’s analysis.

On the lush hills of the Myanmar-China border stands an autonomous self-governing polity in Myanmar, the Wa State. It is de facto independent from the rest of the country and has its own political system, administrative divisions and army. Stalemate delves into the captivating history and contemporary political landscape of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an insurgent force with 20,000-30,000 active forces that stands as Asia’s most formidable.

This narrative of ethnographic exploration paints a vivid picture of an upland community, often brushed aside as mere rebels or linked to drug trade, yet proficiently upholding a unique autonomy that navigates between two dominant states. Rather than sidestepping the neighboring states, the Wa polity actively engages with them, a dynamic that unfolds against the backdrop of sovereignty and statehood struggles.

Through the lens of Andrew Ong’s meticulous analysis, in Stalemate: Autonomy and Insurgency on the China-Myanmar Border readers are led through the political culture entrenched within Wa elites and the general populace, the complex web of UWSA’s international connections, and the intricate capital flows in conjunction with China, illuminating the orchestration behind Wa autonomy. Geopolitical strategy and involvement in the shadow economy is what breathes life into the concept of Wa autonomy. In fact, the book adeptly navigates through the multifaceted borderland geopolitics and the nuances of the shadow economy, highlighting how the United Wa State Army carefully treads this intricate path.

Blending anthropological insights with his personal encounters as a World Food Programme employee in Wa State, Ong delivers a contemplative on-the-ground portrayal of political dynamics in Wa. His objectives, intertwined and interwoven, unfold in three tiers. Primarily, he endeavors to enable readers to perceive the world through the eyes of Wa State’s inhabitants, gaining their perspective. Subsequently, he aims to foster comprehension of the disparities between Wa governance principles and international norms. Lastly, he prompts a reconsideration of conventional interpretations of disorder and stability.

Insurgency and counterinsurgency are two interconnected and age-old facets of warfare that have shaped the course of history in numerous regions around the world. Rooted in the struggle for power, resources, or ideological dominance, insurgencies represent the defiant uprisings of dissatisfied groups or individuals against established authority.

In response, counterinsurgency emerges as the strategic and tactical efforts of governments or ruling entities to quell these revolts and maintain control. Throughout history, we have witnessed the emergence of countless insurgencies and the subsequent attempts to suppress them. The complexities and challenges inherent in addressing insurgencies underscore the importance of understanding the historical, political, and socio-cultural factors that drive these movements.

In Insurgency Warfare: A Global History to the Present, military historian, thinker and strategist Jeremy Black presents a comprehensive historical account of insurgencies and counterinsurgency warfare worldwide. Departing from the typical focus on Western perspectives, the book emphasizes the significance of situating the experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq within a broader global context. Rather than following the conventional route that centers on the American and French revolutions, the author delves back into ancient times to trace the origins of pre-modern warfare.

By skillfully weaving together both thematic and chronological narratives, Black thoroughly explores the enduring correlations between beliefs, events, and individuals, juxtaposed against the evolutionary changes that have occurred over time. Throughout the book, he delves into the evolution of politics, technologies, and ideologies, giving rise to new parameters and paradigms that have profoundly influenced both governmental and public viewpoints on warfare.

Tracing insurgencies across diverse regions from China to Africa to Latin America, Black illuminates the varying military and political dimensions inherent in each conflict. He adeptly assesses the reasons behind the acquisition of lessons in insurgency and counterinsurgency warfare, meticulously examining how these lessons were not merely learned but actively asserted. At every stage, the book delves into the emergence of norms within militaries and societies, exploring their impact on doctrine and policy.