Special Collection on the Middle East

The Middle East and North Africa is a troubled region, and it isn’t easy to find a success story to write about or a rewarding political experience to report. Much of what shaped the region today stems from its historical experiences: the region did not have its renaissance and missed the age of reason and the industrial revolution. European colonialism blocked Arab and Muslim efforts to modernize and espouse rational thinking.

This complete work consists of several dozen essays spread out over 8 parts tackling the region’s conflicts and historical evolution, relating them to contemporary issues. Divided into distinct regions and critical issues, the Special Collection of the Middle East is your source to better understand this volatile region and to be prepared for what comes next.

Part 1

Regional Foundations

This first installment of essays in the collection focuses on emerging trends and critical themes that shape the Middle East region, including regional geopolitical cycles, political dynamics unique to the Arab world, the role of Islam and how social models intersect with the political realm.

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Part 2

The Levant

The Levant, which includes Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, is a sub-region that has been the focal point for the most recent conflicts in the Middle East. This collection of essays delves in to the future of the Syrian regime and its Kurdish population, Iraq’s unique position with outside powers, and the intricacies behind Palestinian and Hezbollah’s roles in regional dynamics.

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Part 3

The Arabian Peninsula

In recent years, the Arabian Peninsula has been home to a riff among Gulf countries, civil war and the emergence of Saudi Arabia and UAE as influential regional actors. The essays in Part 3 covers the history and nuanced understanding of the power dynamics within individual countries and what that means for the future of the peninsula.

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Part 4

The Nile Valley

The Nile Valley regularly experiences conflict and high level of tensions among neighbors, in large part due to the competition for resources and maritime sea access. Egypt stands as the pivotal country in this regional dynamic. As a result, several essays are dedicated to the country’s water supply, domestic political situation and regional relationships.

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Part 5

The Maghreb

The Maghreb marks where the Middle East intersects with Africa and, through the Mediterranean, Europe. This makes it an extremely strategic staging ground for naval access to the Levant and great power competition. This chapter gives an overview of the most pressing geopolitical issues facing each Maghreb country with particular emphasis on the two contenders for regional leadership, Morocco and Algeria.

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Part 6

Turkey & Iran

Turkey and Iran stand out in the Middle East for being formidable non-Arab (Turkish and Persian respectively), predominantly Muslim countries in the region. Their flanking of the Levant and shared border in the South Caucasus makes for dynamic bilateral and regional relations. Part six explores the role these countries play in region dynamics with a focus on foreign policy.

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Part 7

Peace Initiatives

The Middle East’s volatility and frequent conflicts makes for some unusual partnerships. Countries across the region are contemplating and pursuing shift their relationships and alliances to better position themselves in the region. This seventh installment of essays explains the forces driving new, emerging regional alliances and factors that will get in the way of their development.

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Part 8

After Oct. 7

By nature the Middle East remains in a volatile state. The final segment in this compilation looks at the potential fault lines and triggers for continued fighting and conflict within the region. Many groups seek to advance their standing as the regional balance of power shifts and countries respond to global geopolitical shifts as well.

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About the Author

Hilal Khashan

Hilal Khashan is a contributing analyst at Geopolitical Futures. He is a Professor of political science at the American University of Beirut and a respected author and analyst of Middle Eastern affairs. He is the author of six books, including Hizbullah: A Mission to Nowhere. (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2019.) He is currently writing a book titled Saudi Arabia: The Dilemma of Political Reform and the Illusion of Economic Development. He is also the author of more than 110 articles that appeared in journals such as Orbis, The Journal of Conflict Resolution, The Brown Journal of World Affairs, Middle East Quarterly, Third World Quarterly, Israel Affairs, Journal of Religion and Society, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, and The British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies.
https://geopoliticalfutures.com/author/hkhashan/

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