Day: January 15, 2014
Sectarian politics in the Gulf
Tuesday Frederic Wehrey, senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Program, presented his new book, Sectarian Politics in the Gulf: From the Iraq War to the Arab Uprisings (Columbia University Press, January 2014). Marc Lynch, professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, moderated.
Wehrey has a sense of déjà vu looking at the resurgence of sectarianism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Reading the Middle East this way is not new. The sectarianism lens is an appealing way to look at a very complex region, but it plays into the hands of sectarian leaders. They use sectarianism to justify their iron grip. Sectarianism is important, but along with other identities such as social class or nationality. It is important to look at these other explanations for conflict. The antidote to sectarianism isn’t a greater US presence in the region or good relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Ultimately, it is local institutions. Read more
RSS - Posts
