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. 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

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

PART 3: YEMEN

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

PART 4: IRAN

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

PART 5: ISRAEL

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

PART 6: EGYPT

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

PART 7: SYRIA-IRAQ

20. The Civil War in Syria: A Regional Battleground—
    An Introduction
    — V.P. Haran
21. The Civil War in Syria: A Regional Battleground
    — Tsupokyemla
22. Islamic State in Iraq and Syria: Causes and Consequences—
    An Introduction
    — A.R. Ghanashyam
23. The Islamic State: Origins, Evolution and Consequences
    — Alvite Singh Ningthoujam

The Mentors
The Contributors
Index

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