The Sectarian Surge in the Middle East and the Dynamics of the Regional States-System

Abstract

This article explores the role of sectarianism in the international relations of the Middle East. How has sectarianism altered the conduct of regional politics, and how has the regional states-system impacted on sectarianism? A framework combining constructivism and realism is designed and deployed to analyse the enduring dual features (material power balance, identity contests) of the regional states-system and then to dissect the interaction of sectarianism and the current regional power struggle.