Sectarianism in the Middle East : implications for the United States / Heather M. Robinson, Ben Connable, David E. Thaler, Ali G. Scotten.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Robinson, Heather M., author.

Connable, Ben, author.

Thaler, David E., author.

Scotten, Ali G., author.

Contributor:

Arroyo Center, issuing body.

Rand Corporation, publisher.

United States. Department of the Army.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islamic sects--Middle East.

Islamic sects.

Shīʻah--Relations--Sunnites.

Shīʻah.

Sunnites--Relations--Shīʻah.

Sunnites.

War--Causes.

War.

Interfaith relations.

Diplomatic relations.

Middle East--Foreign relations--United States.

Middle East.

United States--Foreign relations--Middle East.

United States.

Other Title:

Sectarianism in the Middle East

Summary:

"Present unrest in the Middle East has many causes and takes on many forms. A collective sense of disenfranchisement, inadequate governance, geopolitical discord, and religious extremism all contribute to the conflicts in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and Libya. Many Western observers and policymakers view unrest in the Middle East through the lens of binary religious sectarianism, focusing on the divisions between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. This split is most clearly articulated in the geopolitical competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and it plays out through violence in Iraq and Syria. But the complexities of human identity and of regional culture and history do not lend themselves to this arguably too-simplistic interpretation of the situation. The authors analyze sectarianism in the region, evaluate other factors that fan the flames of violent conflict, and suggest a different interpretation of both identity and the nature of regional unrest"--Back cover.

Contents:

The history of sectarianism in the Middle East

Sectarianism in Iraq

Sectarianism in Syria.