Twilight of the British Empire

Chikara Hashimoto (1975-2016) was Assistant Professor in International Relations at the University of Sharjah, UAE. He is the author of two journal articles, published in The International History Review and Intelligence and National Security. His PhD dissertation won The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) Leigh Douglas Memorial Prize for the Best PhD Dissertation on A Middle Eastern Topic for 2014.

• List of Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Fighting the ‘Communist Menace’ Overseas; 2. Security Training and Liaison in Anti-Communist Measures; 3. The Defence of the Realm in the Middle East; 4. Prerequisites of Intelligence Cooperation; 5. Conflicting Interests in Anti-Communist Measures; 6. The Use and Abuse of State Power and the Limits of British Influence; Conclusion. The Twilight of the British Empire in the Middle East; Appendix.

'The Twilight of the British Empire is an outstanding piece of historical research, reflecting Hashimoto’s diligence and prowess as a scholar ... [It] has enduring relevance for more recent history, not least with the dangers of major powers viewing the complexities of regional politics through their own ideological lenses (as was often the case, for example, during the Cold War and in the post-2001 War on Terror). The Twilight of the British Empire demonstrates the ethical and political pitfalls of aligning with police states. Further, it underlines the danger of overlooking the fact that certain political beliefs, which may be anathema to Western societies, are often seen elsewhere as a means of liberation from corrupt and despotic regimes.' - Geraint Hughes, King’s College London, and R. Gerald Hughes, Aberystwyth University, Intelligence and National Security.