The Struggle for Supremacy in the Middle East

Since 1979, few rivalries have affected Middle Eastern politics as much as the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However, too often the rivalry has been framed purely in terms of 'proxy wars', sectarian difference or the associated conflicts that have broken out in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, and Yemen. In this book, Simon Mabon presents a more nuanced assessment of the rivalry, outlining its history and demonstrating its impact across the Middle East. Highlighting the significance of local groups, Mabon shows how regional politics have shaped and been shaped by the rivalry. The book draws from social theory and the work of Pierre Bourdieu to challenge problematic assumptions about 'proxy wars', the role of religion, and sectarianism. Exploring the changing political landscape of the Middle East as a whole and the implications for regional and international security, Mabon paints a complex picture of this frequently discussed but oft-misunderstood rivalry.

Author: Simon Mabon
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 03/16/2023
Pages: 268
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.29lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.75d
ISBN: 9781108473361

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2023

About the Author
Mabon, Simon: - Simon Mabon is Professor of International Politics at Lancaster University. He is Director of SEPAD (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization Project) which aims to trace the emergence and development of sectarian animosity in global politics. He has previously published Saudi Arabia and Iran: Soft Power Rivalry in the Middle East (2013), The Origins of ISIS (2016, co-author) and Houses Built on Sand (2020), along with several other edited collections. In 2016/17 Mabon served as academic advisor to the House of Lords International Relations Committee's inquiry into the UK's relationship with the Middle East.