The New Middle East

The New Middle East is one of the first comprehensive books to critically examine the Arab popular uprisings of 2011-12. While these uprisings prompted a number of cursory publications, this volume contains meticulous and thoughtful reflections on the causes, drivers and effects of these seminal events on the internal, regional and international politics of the Middle East and North Africa. Although specific conditions in individual countries that have experienced large-scale popular mobilizations are investigated, they are neither treated in isolation nor separated from broader developments in the region. Instead, the authors highlight connections between individual case studies and systemic conditions throughout the Arab arena. These include the crisis of political authority, the failure of economic development and new genres of mobilization and activism, especially communication technology and youth movements. The careful analysis and reflection on the prospects for democratic change in the region ensures the book will have both an immediate and enduring appeal.1. Introduction: a rupture Fawaz A. Gerges; Part I. Context and Clauses: 2. Authoritarian legacies and regime change: towards understanding political transition in the Arab world Lisa Anderson; 3. Egypt's modern revolutions and the fall of Mubarak Juan Cole; 4. A depressive pre-Arab uprising economic performance Ali Kadri; 5. Bread and olive oil: the agrarian roots of the Arab uprisings Rami Zurayk and Anne Gough; Part II. Thematic and Comparative Aspects: 6. The politics of resistance and the Arab uprisings Charles Tripp; 7. Egypt's 25 January uprising, hegemonic contestation and the explosion of the poor John Chalcraft; 8. The military amidst uprisings and transitions in the Arab world Philippe Droz-Vincent; 9. Women, democracy and dictatorship in the context of the Arab uprisings Sami Zubaida; 10. Dangers and demon(izer)s of democratization in Egypt: through an Indonesian glass, darkly John Sidel; Part III. Countries in Turmoil: 11. Egypt and Tunisia in the Arab Spring: from the revolutionary overthrow of dictatorships to the struggle to establish a new constitutional order Roger Owen; 12. Arab nationalism, Islamism and the Arab uprisings Sadik Al-Azm; 13. Yemen: revolution suspended? Gabriele Vom Bruck, Atiaf al-Wazir and Benjamin Wiacek; 14. Libya in transition: from Jamahiriya to Jumhuriyyah? Karim Mezran; 15. Bahrain's uprisings: domestic implications and regional and international perspectives Kristian Ulrichsen; Part IV. International Implications: 16. Saudi internal dilemmas and regional responses to the Arab uprisings Madawi Al-Rasheed; 17. Israel, Palestine and the Arab Spring Avi Shlaim; 18. Turkey and Iran in the era of the Arab uprisings Mohammed Ayoob; 19. US policy and the Arab revolutions of 2011 William Quandt; 20. Europe and the Arab uprisings: the irrelevant power? Federica Bicchi; 21. Conclusion: rebellious citizens and resilient authoritarians Valerie Bunce.