The Arab World and Iran: A Turbulent Region in Transition (Middle East Today)

This Volume Focuses On Interpreting The Changing Domestic And Regional Dynamics In The Arab World And Iran. Its Chapters Discuss An Array Of Countries, Events, Actors, And Issues - From An Examination Of The Arab Spring And The Tunisian Democratic Transition, To An Exploration Of The Role Of Saudi-iranian Geostrategic Rivalry, To The Impact Of Ethnic And Sectarian Politics In Syria, Iraq, And Across The Region. Chapters From Expert Contributors Are Organized Into Three Parts. The First Section Of The Volume Covers The Aspects And Dynamics Of Change In The Arab World. The Second Examines The Role Of Islam, Islamism, Islamic Governance, And Sectarian And Ethnic Politics In The Region. The Third Section Focuses On Iranian Domestic And Regional Politics. Yet The Theme Of Transition Is Constant Throughout As This Multidisciplinary Book Draws Connections Across Countries And Events To Not Only Inform About The Prevailing Regional Situation, But Also To Invite Readers To Draw Their Own Conclusions As To The Future Of The Middle East. Collectively The Volume Provides A Fresh Interpretation Of The Changing Dynamics Of The Arab World And Iran, Unpacking The Complexities Of The Disputes, Conflicts, Rivalries, Failed Goals, And Processes Of Change And Development That Have Made The Muslim Middle East So Turbulent, Directionless, And Perpetually Contested By Both Regional And International Actors. Chapter 1. The Middle East And North Africa: An Arena Of Change And Transition?; Amin Saikal -- Part I. The Arab World: Prospects And Challenges In Transition -- Chapter 2. Prospects For Democratization In The Middle East Post-arab Spring; Fethi Mansouri -- Chapter 3. The Post-uprising Arab World And The West: Mythology And Cultural Challenges; Robert Bowker -- Chapter 4. Political Economy Dynamics In The Arab Gulf States: Implications For Political Transition; Matthew Gray -- Part Ii. Islamism And Sectarian Politics -- Chapter 5. Islam, Islamism, Muslims, And Governance: Beyond Islam And Democracy; Hisham Hellyer -- Chapter 6. The Saudi 'ulama And The Syrian Civil War; Raihan Ismail -- Chapter 7. Sectarian And Ethnic Politics: The Syrian Conflict; Minerva Nasser-eddine -- Part Iii. Iranian Domestic Politics And Regional Influence -- Chapter 8. Iran's Syrian Foreign Policy Objectives; Shahram Akbarzadeh -- Chapter 9. Iran's Relations With Afghanistan's National Unity Government; Bruce Koepke -- Chapter 10. Iranian-saudi Relations In A Changing Regional Environment; Amin Saikal -- Chapter 11. Conclusion; Amin Saikal. Edited By Amin Saikal. Includes Bibliographic References And Index. Contents 8 Foreword 10 Preface 12 Contributors 14 Abbreviations 16 Chapter 1: The Middle East and North Africa: An Arena of Change and Transition? 17 Part I: The Arab World: Prospects and Challenges in Transition 23 Chapter 2: Prospects for Democratization in the Middle East Post-Arab Spring 24 Introduction 24 The Eruption of the Arab Spring: An Exploration of the Root Causes 25 The Failure of the “Rentierism” Approach 26 Differing Outcomes on the Political Transition Path 29 From Revolutionary Fervor to Political Transition: The Case of Tunisia 31 The Strength of Civil Society Organizations and Their Critical Role in the Revolution 31 The New Constitution, Electoral Commission, and Transitional Justice Initiatives 33 Consensus Politics: The Troika and Ennahda’s Surrender of Power 34 The Challenges for Post-revolution Consolidation in Tunisia 36 The Rise of Religious Violence 36 The Polarization Between Islamists and Non-Islamists 37 Lack of Clear, Practical Plans for Tunisia’s Economy 38 Conclusion 39 Notes 40 Chapter 3: The Post-uprising Arab World and the West: Mythology and Cultural Challenges 44 The Changing Face of Arab Society 45 Ending Sykes-Picot? 46 Egypt 48 Societal and Political Values and the Challenge of Change 49 Islamic State 51 Mythology, Culture, and the West 52 Conclusion 57 Notes 58 Chapter 4: Political Economy Dynamics in the Arab Gulf States: Implications for Political Transition 60 Premature Reports of the Death of Monarchies 60 Explaining the Political Economies of the Gulf 62 The Evolution and Nature of Rentierism in the Gulf 62 The Gulf’s Redefined and Entrepreneurial State Capitalism 65 Development Strategies, Political Strategies, and Globalization 67 What of Other Factors? 71 The Limited Prospects for Political Change and Democratic Transition 73 Notes 76 Part II: Islamism and Sectarian Politics 81 Chapter 5: Islam, Islamism, Muslims, and Governance: Beyond “Islam and Democracy” 82 What Do Muslims Actually Want from Islam in Politics? 87 Notes 93 Chapter 6: The Saudi ‘ulama and the Syrian Civil War 95 Classifying the Saudi Clerics 96 Before the Syrian Uprising 97 The Saudi Clerics and the Alawite Sect 99 The Syrian Uprising and the Saudi ‘ulama 101 The Call to Jihad and the Moral Dilemma 104 Whom Do the Clerics Support? 107 Notes 111 Chapter 7: Sectarian and Ethnic Politics: The Syrian Conflict 115 Yinon Mark II? 116 Wither Syria? 119 The Politics of Minorities 125 Geopolitics 128 Conclusion 131 Notes 131 Part III: Iranian Domestic Politics and Regional Influence 136 Chapter 8: Iran’s Syrian Foreign Policy Objectives 137 The Importance of Ideology 138 The Changing Regional Landscape 141 Strength of the Iran–Syria Alliance 142 Attempting Change 143 Return to a Familiar Pattern 146 Conclusion 148 Notes 149 Chapter 9: Iran’s Relations with Afghanistan’s National Unity Government 154 Afghanistan 155 Iran 156 Iran’s Security and Reconciliation Concerns 158 Refugees 160 Drug and Water Issues 161 Economy and Trade 162 International Conferences 162 The Transformation Period 162 Conclusion 166 Notes 167 Chapter 10: Iranian–Saudi Relations in a Changing Regional Environment 173 Historical Setting 175 Sectarianism and Geopolitics 176 Saudi Power Play 176 Iranian Power Play 177 US–Iranian Relations 178 Saudi Complications 179 Saudi Policy Actions 181 Iranian Responses 185 Conclusion 186 Notes 187 Chapter 11: Conclusion 189 Bibliography 195 Index 217 "Contents"--"Foreword"--"Preface" -- "Contributors" -- "Abbreviations" -- "Chapter 1: The Middle East and North Africa: An Arena of Change and Transition?" -- "Part I: The Arab World: Prospects and Challenges in Transition" -- "Chapter 2: Prospects for Democratization in the Middle East Post-Arab Spring" -- "Introduction" -- "The Eruption of the Arab Spring: An Exploration of the Root Causes" -- "The Failure of the â#x80;#x9C;Rentierismâ#x80;#x9D; Approach" -- "Differing Outcomes on the Political Transition Path" -- "From Revolutionary Fervor to Political Transition: The Case of Tunisia" -- "The Strength of Civil Society Organizations and Their Critical Role in the Revolution" -- "The New Constitution, Electoral Commission, and Transitional Justice Initiatives" -- "Consensus Politics: The Troika and Ennahdaâ#x80;#x99;s Surrender of Power" -- "The Challenges for Post-revolution Consolidation in Tunisia" -- "The Rise of Religious Violence" -- "The Polarization Between Islamists and Non-Islamists" -- "Lack of Clear, Practical Plans for Tunisiaâ#x80;#x99;s Economy" -- "Conclusion" -- "Notes" -- "Chapter 3: The Post-uprising Arab World and the West: Mythology and Cultural Challenges" -- " The Changing Face of Arab Society" -- " Ending Sykes-Picot?" -- " Egypt" -- " Societal and Political Values and the Challenge of Change" -- " Islamic State" -- " Mythology, Culture, and the West" -- " Conclusion" -- "Notes" -- "Chapter 4: Political Economy Dynamics in the Arab Gulf States: Implications for Political Transition" -- "Premature Reports of the Death of Monarchies" -- "Explaining the Political Economies of the Gulf" -- "The Evolution and Nature of Rentierism in the Gulf" -- "The Gulfâ#x80;#x99;s Redefined and Entrepreneurial State Capitalism" -- "Development Strategies, Political Strategies, and Globalization." Front Matter....Pages i-xv The Middle East and North Africa: An Arena of Change and Transition?....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Prospects for Democratization in the Middle East Post-Arab Spring....Pages 9-28 The Post-uprising Arab World and the West: Mythology and Cultural Challenges....Pages 29-44 Political Economy Dynamics in the Arab Gulf States: Implications for Political Transition....Pages 45-65 Front Matter....Pages 67-67 Islam, Islamism, Muslims, and Governance: Beyond “Islam and Democracy”....Pages 69-81 The Saudi ‘ulama and the Syrian Civil War....Pages 83-102 Sectarian and Ethnic Politics: The Syrian Conflict....Pages 103-123 Front Matter....Pages 125-125 Iran’s Syrian Foreign Policy Objectives....Pages 127-143 Iran’s Relations with Afghanistan’s National Unity Government....Pages 145-163 Iranian–Saudi Relations in a Changing Regional Environment....Pages 165-180 Conclusion....Pages 181-186 Back Matter....Pages 187-220