The English Teacher

Cleaver, a British Council teacher, is trapped in Saudi Arabia by an advancing Iraqi army. He and one his colleagues, an SAS officer named Alison Coulbright, escape across the sands of the Empty Quarter to the neighbouring country of Raydan, where they become liaison officers between the Emir and his American allies. In Raydan, Fletcher, a petroleum engineer, is involved in a plot by British secret service personnel to induce the United States to commit more troops, and a sub-plot traces the fortunes of a stranded British family. After overcoming many perils, Cleaver becomes an adviser to the Emir. His influence increases when he masterminds the quelling of a mutiny by African UN troops. He goes on to lead the Raydani forces into battle and drives the enemy forces from Raydan.