Books in the Modern Intellectual and Political History of the Middle East series

Rooted in the world historical methodology of John Voll, this collection brings together a diverse group of scholars to investigate the ongoing impact of revival and reform movements beginning in the eighteenth century and continuing through to the present.

Taking an innovative approach to the study of Iranian nationalism, Merhavy examines the way symbols from Iran's past have played an important role in the struggles between political, religious, and ideological movements over legitimacy in the last five decades.

In Why Alliances Fail, Buehler explores the circumstances under which stable, enduring alliances are built to contest authoritarian regimes, marshaling evidence from coalitions between North Africa's Islamists and leftists.

Draws together closely observed, critical and historicized analyses, giving vital insights into Syrian society today. With a broad range of disciplinary perspectives, contributors reveal how Bashar al-Asad's pivotal first decade of rule engendered changes in power relations and public discourse-dynamics that would feed the 2011 protest movement and civil war.

In 1905 Iranian women had been sold to pay taxes or taken as booty in a raid by tribesmen from a village. The narration of this event took all Iran by storm and shortly after the opening of the new parliament in 1906 relatives of these women demanded that parliament punish those responsible. Najmabadi investigates why this incident was so powerful.

Mohammad Mosaddeq is regarded as the leading champion of secular democracy and resistance to foreign domination in Iran's modern history. The book examines the turbulent political climate that prevailed in Iran during Mosaddeq's time the struggle between Iran and Britain for control over oil and the details of the coup itself.