After Saddam

American Foreign Policy and the Destruction of Secularism in the Middle East

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church & State, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book After Saddam by Dina Badie, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Dina Badie ISBN: 9781498539005
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: July 25, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Dina Badie
ISBN: 9781498539005
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: July 25, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

After Saddam: American Foreign Policy and the Destruction of Secularism in the Middle East investigates the manner in which American foreign policy in Iraq artificially shifted the balance of power in the region and brought religious identities to the foreground. Deposing Saddam Hussein resulted in a new regional order that diminished the strength of secular nationalism, elevated Iran and Saudi Arabia as regional rivals, and by implication, established a new ideological paradigm that privileged competing religious factions over secular ideals. The trend first manifested itself in Iraq during the American occupation with Iranian-backed Shiites fighting Saudi-supported Sunnis. A similar dynamic is evident in current regional wars in Syria and Yemen. By elevating particular groups through rhetorical, financial, and military support, civil conflicts in the Middle East reflect the ideologies behind the Saudi–Iranian rivalry. This book therefore looks beyond popular narratives of intractable, long-standing Sunni–Shia conflict to explain the source of current sectarian tension as a product of balance of power dynamics. It also helps to explain the fracturing of the region that created a ripe environment for groups like the Islamic State to capitalize on sectarian grievances.

This book relies and builds on balance of power theorizing by looking at the way that traditional competition for power between states and nonstate actors shapes ideological competition. For example, during the Cold War, the two major world powers—the U.S. and the Soviet Union—helped to shape international conflicts so that the narrative of “capitalism vs. communism” played a prominent role in civil and international conflicts—such as in Korea, Nicaragua, or Angola. By meddling in the internal affairs of states, arming rebel groups, and lending support to competing factions, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. shaped not only outcomes, but also the ideas underpinning conflicts. Today, a similar dynamic can be discerned in the Middle East.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

After Saddam: American Foreign Policy and the Destruction of Secularism in the Middle East investigates the manner in which American foreign policy in Iraq artificially shifted the balance of power in the region and brought religious identities to the foreground. Deposing Saddam Hussein resulted in a new regional order that diminished the strength of secular nationalism, elevated Iran and Saudi Arabia as regional rivals, and by implication, established a new ideological paradigm that privileged competing religious factions over secular ideals. The trend first manifested itself in Iraq during the American occupation with Iranian-backed Shiites fighting Saudi-supported Sunnis. A similar dynamic is evident in current regional wars in Syria and Yemen. By elevating particular groups through rhetorical, financial, and military support, civil conflicts in the Middle East reflect the ideologies behind the Saudi–Iranian rivalry. This book therefore looks beyond popular narratives of intractable, long-standing Sunni–Shia conflict to explain the source of current sectarian tension as a product of balance of power dynamics. It also helps to explain the fracturing of the region that created a ripe environment for groups like the Islamic State to capitalize on sectarian grievances.

This book relies and builds on balance of power theorizing by looking at the way that traditional competition for power between states and nonstate actors shapes ideological competition. For example, during the Cold War, the two major world powers—the U.S. and the Soviet Union—helped to shape international conflicts so that the narrative of “capitalism vs. communism” played a prominent role in civil and international conflicts—such as in Korea, Nicaragua, or Angola. By meddling in the internal affairs of states, arming rebel groups, and lending support to competing factions, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. shaped not only outcomes, but also the ideas underpinning conflicts. Today, a similar dynamic can be discerned in the Middle East.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Taking Socialism Seriously by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Medical Transnationalism by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Local Citizenship in Recent Countries of Immigration by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Kant’s Philosophy and the Momentum of Modernity by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Apologia Politica by Dina Badie
Cover of the book The First Great Political Realist by Dina Badie
Cover of the book The Principle of Contradiction by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Upheavals in the Middle East by Dina Badie
Cover of the book The Development of Economic Thought by Dina Badie
Cover of the book War Is Not Inevitable by Dina Badie
Cover of the book How Celebrity Lives Affect Our Own by Dina Badie
Cover of the book A Destiny of Choice? by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Rethinking the Theory of Money, Credit, and Macroeconomics by Dina Badie
Cover of the book DIY Utopia by Dina Badie
Cover of the book Oil Supply Crises by Dina Badie
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy