The Arab Bureau

Description

In the midst of the First World War, an extraordinary intelligence unit operated from Cairo’s Savoy Hotel, combining the skills of archaeologists, academics and soldiers to revolutionise how Britain gathered information and shaped events in the Middle East. Overshadowed by Lawrence of Arabia, the Arab Bureau’s true significance has remained hidden in plain sight ever since.

This fascinating study uncovers the Bureau’s remarkable story through newly discovered Arabic documents and previously overlooked archives. At its heart lies an astonishing find: Thawrat al-Arab, an ambitious Arabic-language book and the longest piece of British propaganda produced during the war. From the Arab Bulletin’s secret intelligence reports to sophisticated propaganda campaigns, the Bureau was decades ahead of its time. The team—including archaeologists fresh from desert digs and scholars fluent in local dialects—developed new methods of cultural intelligence that would influence future generations.

Eamonn Gearon’s compelling narrative reveals how this unique organisation navigated the complexities of Arab politics, tribal rivalries and Ottoman intelligence, while developing techniques that resonate with today’s challenges in intelligence-gathering. Essential reading for anyone interested in intelligence history, the Middle East or how innovation occurs in wartime, this book transforms our understanding of a crucial moment in world history.

Reviews

‘An important and original book that brings to life the work of the influential Arab Bureau in its First World War context. Written with verve and rigour, Gearon combines character sketches of charismatic figures like T.E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell with the imperial institutions they served. This will remain the standard reference on the Arab Bureau for years to come.’ — Eugene Rogan, author of The Arabs and The Fall of the Ottomans

‘A fascinating reassessment of the Arab Bureau’s work during the First World War and of the roles of intelligence and propaganda in shaping the information space in the Middle East.’ — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, author of Centers of Power in the Arab Gulf States

‘A timely, well-researched and engaging study into an understudied but fascinating unit. Integrating intelligence history into wider international history, The Arab Bureau also offers vital insights into innovation, cultural intelligence and institutional learning.’ — Rory Cormac, Professor of International Relations, University of Nottingham

Author(s)

Eamonn Gearon is a global historian, specialising in the Middle East and North Africa and the history of intelligence, whose books include The Arab Bureau and The Arab Revolt (both published by Hurst). His doctoral research uncovered previously unknown Arabic documents which shed new light on British intelligence work in the region.