Search results for ""Author Jonathan Marshall""
Stanford University Press The Lebanese Connection: Corruption, Civil War, and the International Drug Traffic
Long before Mexico, Colombia, and Afghanistan became notorious for their contributions to the global drug traffic, Lebanon was a special target of U.S. drug agents for harboring the world's greatest single transit port in the international traffic in narcotics. In the words of one American official, "certain of the largest traffickers are so influential politically, and certain highly placed officials so deeply involved in the narcotic traffic, that one might well state that the Lebanese Government is in the narcotics business." Using previously secret government records, The Lebanese Connection uncovers for the first time the story of how Lebanon's economy and political system were corrupted by drug profits—and how, by financing its many ruthless militia, Lebanon's drug trade contributed to the country's greatest catastrophe, its fifteen-year civil war from 1975 to 1990. In so doing, this book sheds new light on the dangerous role of vast criminal enterprises in the collapse of states and the creation of war economies that thrive in the midst of civil conflicts. Taking a regional approach to the drug issue, Jonathan Marshall assesses the culpability of Syria, Israel, and of Palestinian factions and other groups that used Lebanon as their battleground. On the international level, he documents Lebanon's contribution to the hard drug problem of major consuming countries, from the days of the "French Connection" through the "Pizza Connection," as well as Lebanon's unrivaled place in the global hashish market.
£30.60
JCB Mohr (Paul Siebeck) Jesus, Patrons, and Benefactors: Roman Palestine and the Gospel of Luke
Scholars use patrons and benefactors in the interpretation of Jesus and the Gospels, but this practice needs re-evaluation. Many New Testament studies build from outdated classical scholarship and only superficial interaction with archaeological research. Recent classical studies have improved modern understanding of these ancient categories tremendously. Archaeological advances shed new light on first-century Palestine. Jonathan Marshall evaluates the categories of patrons and benefactors in light of the findings of new classical studies and archaeological work. He offers a much needed clarification between socio-historical "patron-client" relationships and Roman patrocinium. He also elucidates differences between patrocinium and benefaction. An in-depth investigation of cities, villages, and leadership in first-century Palestine reveals the minimal attestation of benefaction and, still less, patrocinium in the area and among the people. The dearth or, in some cases, complete lack of honorary inscriptions is one obvious pointer in this direction. An analysis of three passages in Luke (6:17-38; 14:1-24; 22:14-34) follows. The analysis demonstrates that Luke does not adopt the specific terminology of patrocinium. Use of the benefactor category is present but limited while debt to Jewish cultural influences predominates. One discovers that Luke's presentation of Jesus, in these three passages, matches well the historical realia of Jesus' day.
£89.85
Rowman & Littlefield Dark Quadrant: Organized Crime, Big Business, and the Corruption of American Democracy
Dark Quadrant traces the systematic corruption of businesspeople and politicians from 1945 to 1974 and draws links to our current political crisis. Documenting the collaboration of Presidents Truman, Johnson, and Nixon with powerful mobsters. President Trump represents, in many ways, a twisted culmination of the forces described in this book.
£22.50
University of California Press Cocaine Politics: Drugs, Armies, and the CIA in Central America, Updated edition
When the San Jose Mercury News ran a controversial series of stories in 1996 on the relationship between the CIA, the Contras, and crack, they reignited the issue of the intelligence agency's connections to drug trafficking, initially brought to light during the Vietnam War and then again by the Iran-Contra affair. Broad in scope and extensively documented, "Cocaine Politics" shows that under the cover of national security and covert operations, the U.S. government has repeatedly collaborated with and protected major international drug traffickers. A new preface discusses developments of the last six years, including the Mercury News stories and the public reaction they provoked.
£23.40