Twenty First Century Unrest in West Asia: Socio-Economic and Political Scenario

Contents: 1. The Arab spring that was and wasn’t/Fabian K.P. 2. Egyptian blogs during the popular protests from 2011 to 2013/Paulami Sanyal. 3. Democratization and the role of women in Arab uprisings/Poonam Khatana. 4. Arab feminism and its socio-political impact on Arab society/Navneet Samuel. 5. Options and obstacles to solve refugee crisis in West Asia/Lirar Pulikkalakath. 6. Oil as a tool of diplomacy in Iraqi Kurdistan/Divya Malhotra. 7. Water scarcity in Jordan: demand and supply side factors/P.R. Kumaraswamy and Manjeri Singh. 8. Hostage-prisoners swap: Israel’s experience/Minakshi Sardar. 9. Saudi-Iran rivalry and its effects on West-Asian stability/Syed Jaleel Hussain.10. Major issues in the new cold war in the West Asian and North African region/A.K. Pasha. 11. Al-Qaeda and Franchise terrorism/Jatin Kumar.12. Israel’s continuing Zionist project: the main obstacle to Palestinian statehood/Bansidhar Pradhan. 13. Hamas-Fatah contradictions and their impact on Palestinian movements/K.M. Sajad Ibrahim. Index.

In the twenty-first century, West Asia is moving in different directions-politically, culturally and economically-with far-reaching consequences for global peace and security. On the one side, political change through Arab Spring uprooted many authoritarian regimes and brought democratic elements in West Asian polity while on the other side instability and uncertainty continue to challenge many countries like Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon. 

Religious fundamentalism assumed new twist with the rise of forces like ISS that triggered a wave of violence in many West Asian countries and other parts of the world. Insecurity has resulted in millions of refugees in West Asia to seek migration to Europe and other parts of the world. The global powers, which spoiled the peace and prosperity of the region through colonialism and imperialism, show least interest in the present West Asia imbroglio. 

Most of the turmoil in West Asia is linked with its history and culture. It is not possible to address the deep-seated problems involved in the social transformation in these countries through overthrow of old regimes. These countries need more political and economic stability with popular participation. However, mistrust and uncertainties are threatening peace and security in the region.

This book contains 13 articles by leading West Asian scholars on different dimensions of the geo-political scenario of the region.