West Asia in Transition – Volume II

About The Book

West Asia in Transition-Volume II is the result of a project launched by the Delhi Policy Group (DPG) in 2016 to study the rapidly changing socio-political and economic structures as well as emerging trends in West Asia. The publication is a collection` of essays by senior diplomats, academics and young researchers on different aspects of the profound transformation taking place in the West Asian region.

The principal focus has been on the main drivers of this transformation and on the major players. Particular attention has been paid to the evolution of Islamic thought and practice in the region.viz. Wahhabism, Velayat-i-Faqih, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Salafi-Jihadism, and their overarching influence in the region. The book also looks at the role of the major regional powers—Egypt, Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia and their interactions with each other, as well as the areas engulfed by conflict—Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

The publication of this volume has been made possible through a collaborated effort between the DPG and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). It is hoped that this book, drawing upon the considerable expertise of regional specialists, academics, and former civil servants will be a useful resource for policymakers in helping them to calibrate an effective, informed, and balanced strategy towards the region.

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer

Introduction
Sanjay Singh

PART 1: WEST ASIA IN TRANSITION

1. 1. Introduction
      — Talmiz Ahmad
   2. Global Jihad by Al-Qaida and the Islamic State
      — Md. Muddassir Quamar
   3. The Changing Energy Scenario: Geopolitical Implications for
      West Asia
      — Sameena Hameed

PART 2: SAUDI ARABIA

1. 1. Saudi Arabia: Understanding Evolving Internal and External
      Dynamics
      — Meena Singh Roy
   2. Saudi Arabia and the Region
      — Neha Kohli
   3. Wahhabism and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Evolving
      Symbiosis
      — Adil Rasheed

PART 3: YEMEN

1. 1. Yemen: An Introduction
      — Ranjit Gupta
   2. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
      — Dipanwita Chakravortty
   3. The Yemen Conflict: Domestic and Regional Dynamics
      — Ashiya Parveen

PART 4: IRAN

1. 1. Iran and the Region: An Introduction
      — Javed Ahmad Khan and Sanjay Singh
   2. The Concept of Wilayat al-Faqih: 37 Years after the Iranian
      Revolution
      — Shafat Yousuf
   3. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Its
      Aftermath
      — S. Samuel C. Rajiv
   4. Iran and the Region: Changing Dynamics and New Challenges
      — P.R. Kumaraswamy and Md. Muddassir Quamar

PART 5: ISRAEL

1. 1. Israel and India: An Introduction
      — P.R. Kumaraswamy
   2. The Shaping of Israel-US Relations
      — Moinuddin Ahmad
   3. India-Israel Relations: The Influence of Third Parties
      — Manjari Singh

PART 6: EGYPT

1. 1. Al-Sisi’s Egypt: An Introduction
      — Sudhir Vyas
   2. The Increasing Control of the Armed Forces: The Deteriorating
      Security Situation in Egypt
      — Rajeev Agarwal
   3. State-Society Ties in Egypt: Recent Developments
      — Tanzoom Ahmed

PART 7: SYRIA-IRAQ

1. 1. The Civil War in Syria: A Regional Battleground—
      An Introduction
      — V.P. Haran
   2. The Civil War in Syria: A Regional Battleground
      — Tsupokyemla
   3. Islamic State in Iraq and Syria: Causes and Consequences—
      An Introduction
      — A.R. Ghanashyam
   4. The Islamic State: Origins, Evolution and Consequences
      — Alvite Singh Ningthoujam

The Mentors
The Contributors
Index

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