Overlapping Contests and Middle East International Relations: The Return of the Weak Arab State (original) (raw)

The paper examines the influence of overlapping domestic and regional factors on Middle East international relations, particularly in the context of the Arab uprisings and the rise of sectarianism. It critiques traditional IR theories for their shortcomings in addressing the complex behaviors of various actors, highlighting the contributions of the Montréal School of thought that emphasizes the interplay between different analytical levels. The conclusion calls for a deeper integration of Middle East studies into mainstream IR theory to facilitate better understanding and responses to regional dynamics.