Understanding the Contemporary Middle East

Book excerpt: The previous edition of Understanding the Contemporary Middle East was published soon after the Arab uprisings, and the authors-writing across disciplines-captured those moments of possibility. Now, more than six years later, the Middle East is substantially changed, with three protracted civil wars, several retrenched authoritarian regimes, possibly one emerging democracy, and social and economic conditions that have been profoundly affected by the new political environment. This thoroughly revised and updated edition explores both the impact of recent events in shaping the region and the continuities with established patterns of political, economic, and social relations.