Middle East Politics and International Relations Crisis Zone

The contemporary Middle East has been defined by political crises and conflict. The interplay of internal and external factors have set the region on a path of turmoil and crisis with devastating outcomes for its people. The absence of political accountability and representation, and policies pursued by the United States to keep US-friendly regimes in power have been two key factors that have contributed to the seemingly insoluble Middle East politics.

This book provides a detailed exploration of the forces, internal and external, that have shaped today?s Middle East. The book follows a chronological order and provides context to major political milestones.

Topics explored include:

? Imperialism in the Middle East

? The formation of the State of Israel

? The Arab?Israeli wars

? Palestinian politics and the failure of the ?peace process?

? The Iranian Revolution and pan-Shi?ism

? Superpowers in the Middle East

? The US-led ?War on Terror?

? The Arab uprisings

? The Syrian War and the rise of the ?Islamic State?

? US?Iran relations

This study puts recent developments in historical context, and will serve as a core reference tool for students and researchers of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations.

1. Introduction: The Colonial Background 2. The Formation of the state of Israel 3: The Arab-Israeli Wars 4. Palestinian Politics: the failure of the 'peace process' 5. Ideologies and supra state identities 6. The Iranian revolution and pan-Shi'ism 7. Playground for the superpowers 8. The US-led 'War on Terror' 9. The Arab Uprisings 10. The Syrian War and the rise of the 'Islamic State' 11. Iran coming out of Isolation Conclusion

Shahram Akbarzadeh is Research Professor of Middle East and Central Asian Politics and held the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship (2013–2016). He is Deputy Director (International) at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization, Deakin University, Australia.

Kylie Baxter is a Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Asia Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia.