UCLA Center for Middle East Development CMED Regional Competition and Conflicts in MENA

This book studies four cases where competing regional players greatly shaped the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Somalia and the Horn of Africa, and Libya. This book studies four cases where competing regional players greatly shaped the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Somalia/the Horn of Africa, and Libya. Based on John Mearsheimer’s theory of great power competition detailed in his book The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, this publication examines an important period in the modern history of the MENA region, starting from the Arab Spring until the beginning of the Gaza war. The Arab Spring and the demands for democratization created a disruption, leading to the fall of several dictatorships, creating both a threat and an opportunity for regional dominant powers. Those cases are studied in an instrumental manner. Regional Competition and Conflicts in MENA helps readers interested in the MENA region understand the nature of the competition among regional powers and its effect on the course of those conflicts. This book will be of particular use to students with an interest in Middle East studies, Middle East politics, conflict studies, and international relations.