The most authoritative, comprehensive, and balanced overview of international relations in the Middle East, this respected textbook helps students get to grips with this fascinating and challenging subject area. A team of expert scholars combines a history of the region with analysis of key themes, actors, and conflicts, using a range of learning features and online resources to support student learning.Offering a wide range of perspectives, this book exposes students to different approaches to the subject, and encourages them to think critically in order to draw their own conclusions. The text features a range of case studies and 'micro-cases' throughout, demonstrating the relevance of international relations theory in the contemporary Middle East, and helping students to apply their learning to real world situations.The fourth edition features a new chapter on the Arab Spring, highlighting this significant development in contemporary Middle Eastern international relations, and an expanded discussion of rising powers in the region, such as Russia and China. New to this editionA new chapter on the Arab Spring and its aftermath brings the book fully up-to-date with contemporary events.Fuller discussion of 'new' and 'rising' actors in the region, including Russia and China, ensures that the text accurately reflects the current multipolar international system.An increased number of case studies demonstrate the relevance of theory to practice.End-of-chapter questions have been introduced to encourage students to check their understanding and reflect on their learning.

Author Biography

Louise Fawcett is Professor of International Relations and Wilfrid Knapp Fellow and Tutor in Politics at St Catherine's College, University of Oxford.Contributors: Professor Fred Lawson, Mills College, USAProfessor Eugene Rogan, St Anthony's College, University of OxfordProfessor Peter Sluglett, University of Utah and National University of SingaporeProfessor Bahgat Korany, The American University in CairoProfessor Giacamo Luciani, The Graduate Institute, GenevaProfessor Augustus Norton, Boston UniversityProfessor Raymond Hinnebusch, University of St AndrewsProfessor Peter Mandaville, George Mason UniversityProfessor Matteo Legrenzi, Ca' Foscari University of VeniceDr Marina Calculli, American University of BeirutProfessor Anough Ehteshami, University of DurhamDr Charles Smith, University of ArizonaDr Larbi Sadiki, Qatar UniversityProfessor Michael Hudson, Georgetown UniversityRosemary Hollis, City University, London