Leaders in the Middle East and North Africa: How Ideology Shapes Foreign Policy

The study of politics in the MENA region is reevaluated in this book through a social science-based methodology, analyzing the psychological profiles of fourteen leaders across eight countries and three non-state organizations to develop a nuanced portrait of modern leadership. The authors draw connections between seemingly disparate political ideologies and offer novel insights into negotiating with them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The study of politics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has long been dominated by historical and case study approaches. In this groundbreaking book, Özgür Özdamar and Sercan Canbolat take a novel approach by employing a social science-based methodology to reexamine the dynamics of power and leadership in Africa and the Middle East. By conducting in-depth psychological profiling of fourteen leaders from eight countries and three non-state organizations, the authors paint a nuanced portrait of modern leadership. Through this approach, Özdamar and Canbolat are able to draw connections between seemingly disparate political ideologies, ranging from Sunni Islamism to Shia revolutionism, from secular nationalism to armed non-state groups. By highlighting the previously unrecognized commonalities and divergences in these leaders' approaches, the authors provide valuable insights into their tactics and strategies, offering novel approaches to negotiation. This book is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of power and leadership in the MENA region.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316514016