The fourth edition of this dynamic and popular text provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary politics in the Middle East. Fully revised and updated throughout, it features a new chapter on the Arab Spring and its aftermath, plus a wide range of vibrant case studies, data, questions for class discussion and suggestions for further reading.

Purposefully employing a clear thematic structure, the book begins by introducing key concepts and contentious debates before outlining the impact of colonialism, and the rise and relevance of Arab nationalism in the region. Major political issues affecting the Middle East are then explored in full. These include political economy, conflict, political Islam, gender, the regional democracy deficit, and ethnicity and minorities. The book also examines the role of key foreign actors, such as the USA, Russia and the EU, and concludes with an in-depth analysis of the Arab uprisings and their impact in an era of uncertainty.

About the Author
Beverley Milton-Edwards is Professor of Politics at Queen's University Belfast and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Doha Center.

Reviews

"The genius of this book is that it integrates together the different themes which run through Middle Eastern politics, creating a coherent understanding of the dynamics which shape events. The radical transformation of the Middle East since 2011 forms a key part of the ongoing analysis, but it is rightly set within the context of underlying problems, trends and issues. The book should be required reading for all those wanting to understand the region."
-Tim Niblock, University of Exeter

"I welcome the fourth edition of this comprehensive guide to the politics of such an important region of the world. It is a must for all those who want to understand the complex politics of the modern Middle East."
-Roger Owen, Harvard University

"With a keen eye for detail and an accessible style, Beverley Milton-Edwards, one of the foremost scholars of the Middle East, provides us with a comprehensive and up-to-date examination of the region from World War I up to the present. This is a superb book, going beyond studies of colonialism, nationalism, power, and interstate conflict. Milton-Edwards looks also at topics and areas equally consequential in shaping the Middle East, including political Islam, struggles for democracy, and the position of women and ethnic minorities. This is a must-reading for anyone with a serious interest in understanding the forces shaping the political history of the Middle East."
-Mehran Kamrava, Georgetown University-Qatar

Book Information
ISBN 9781509520831
Author Beverley Milton-Edwards
Format Paperback
Page Count 388
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 680g
Dimensions(mm) 246mm * 170mm * 33mm