Republic of Fear cover

Republic of Fear

by Kanan Makiya

First published in 1989, just before the Gulf War broke out. Republic of Fear was the only book that explained the motives of the Saddam Hussein regime in invading and annexing Kuwait. Written under the pseudonym Samir al-Khalil, the book now appears for the first time under the author's real name. This updated edition relates how the Arab Bath Socialist party has transformed Iraq since 1968. A substantial new introduction focuses on the changes in Hussein's regime since the Gulf War. With Hussein still in power, Republic of Fear remains an important and timely book.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?