Contemporary Middle East in an Age of Upheaval

The US invasion of Iraq and the Arab uprisings of 2010-11 have not reshaped the Middle East as predicted, but this book offers insights into the region's characteristics, continuities, and discontinuities. It explores six themes, including sectarianism, state sovereignty, Saudi-Iranian competition, and the Israel-Palestine conflict, and provides individual country studies.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 368 pages
\n Publication date: 01 May 2021
\n Publisher: Stanford University Press
\n

The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Arab uprisings of 2010-11 left indelible imprints on the Middle East, yet these events have not reshaped the region as pundits once predicted. With this comprehensive volume, top experts on the region offer wide-ranging considerations of the characteristics, continuities, and discontinuities of the contemporary Middle East, addressing topics from international politics to political Islam, hip-hop to human security.

This book engages six themes to understand the contemporary Middle East: the spread of sectarianism, abandonment of principles of state sovereignty, the lack of a regional hegemonic power, increased Saudi-Iranian competition, decreased regional attention to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and fallout from the Arab uprisings. With analysis from historians, political scientists, sociologists, and anthropologists, and up-to-date discussions of the Syrian Civil War, impacts of the Trump presidency, and the 2020 uprisings in Lebanon, Algeria, and Sudan, this book will be an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand the current state of the region.

The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Arab uprisings of 2010-11 marked significant turning points in the Middle East, shaping the region's political, social, and economic landscape. While these events had profound consequences, they did not unfold in the way many analysts had predicted. This book aims to explore the characteristics, continuities, and discontinuities of the contemporary Middle East, examining a range of topics that include international politics, political Islam, hip-hop culture, and human security.

The spread of sectarianism has been a defining feature of the contemporary Middle East. The conflicts between Sunni and Shia Muslims, exacerbated by regional and international factors, have led to widespread violence and instability. The abandonment of principles of state sovereignty has also played a significant role in shaping the region's political landscape. Countries such as Syria and Yemen have seen their governments collapse, and regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Iran have become more assertive in their foreign policies.

The lack of a regional hegemonic power has also contributed to the region's instability. While the US has been a dominant force in the region since the end of the Cold War, its influence has waned in recent years. This has allowed other powers, such as Russia and China, to increase their presence and influence in the Middle East. The increased Saudi-Iranian competition has also been a defining feature of the contemporary Middle East. Both countries have been competing for regional influence, with Saudi Arabia supporting Sunni groups and Iran backing Shia groups. This competition has led to tensions and conflicts, particularly in Syria and Yemen.

The decreased regional attention to the Israel-Palestine conflict has also been a notable trend in the contemporary Middle East. While the conflict has been a central issue for the region for decades, it has become less prominent in recent years as other issues have taken center stage. This has been driven by a range of factors, including the rise stage, including the rise of political Islam, the increasing influence of regional powers, and the decline of Western influence in the region.

The fallout from the Arab uprisings of 2010-11 has also left a lasting impact on the Middle East. The uprisings, which were sparked by social and economic grievances, led to the overthrow of several authoritarian regimes and the emergence of new political movements. However, the transition to democracy has been slow and uneven, with many countries facing challenges such as political instability, economic inequality, and social unrest.

In conclusion, the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Arab uprisings of 2010-11 have left indelible imprints on the Middle East, shaping the region's political, social, and economic landscape. While these events have not reshaped the region as pundits once predicted, they have led to significant changes in the region's political, social, and economic landscape. This book aims to explore the characteristics, continuities, and discontinuities of the contemporary Middle East, examining a range of topics that include international politics, political Islam, hip-hop culture, and human security. By understanding the complexities of the region, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

\n Weight: 558g\n
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781503627697\n \n