The Clash of Ideologies: Middle Eastern Politics and American Security

How do ideologies shape international relations in general and Middle Eastern countries' relations with the United States in particular? The Clash of Ideologies by Mark L. Haas explores this critical question. Haas argues that leaders' ideological beliefs are likely to have profound effects on these individuals' perceptions of international threats. These threat perceptions, in turn, shape leaders' core security policies, including choices of allies and enemies and efforts to spread their ideological principles abroad as a key means of advancing their interests. Two variables are particularly important in this process: the degree of ideological differences dividing different groups of decision makers ("ideological distance"), and the number of prominent ideologies that are present in a particular system ("ideological polarity"). The argument is tested in four case studies of states' foreign policies, primarily since the end of the Cold War: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey. As the argument predicts, ideological differences in these cases were a key cause of international conflict and ideological similarities a source of cooperation. Moreover, different ideological groups in the same country at the same time often possessed very different understandings of their threat environments, and thus very different foreign policy preferences. These are findings that other prominent international relations theories, particularly realism, cannot explain. Clash of Ideologies goes beyond advancing theoretical debates in the international relations literature. It also aims to provide policy guidance on key international security issues. These prescriptions are designed to advance America's interests in the Middle East in particular, namely how U.S. leaders should best respond to the ideological dynamics that exist in the region.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Dedication Introduction 1. The Importance of Ideological Distance and Polarity to Foreign Policies 2. Iranian Ideological Factions and International Policies, 1997-2009 3. Ideologies and the History of the Syrian-Iranian Alliance 4. Ideologies and Turkish Foreign Policies after the Cold War 5. Ideologies and U.S.-Saudi Relations After the Cold War's End Conclusion

About the Author :
Mark L. Haas is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy at Duquesne University.

Review :
"...an extremely interesting analysis of ideological politics in the context of inter-state relations. ... One of the strengths of the book is that it is very well written. The structure, narrative, and theorietical framework are both clear and cogent. ... a genuine contribution to our understanding of how ideas and ideologies shape state behavior, a topic well suited to the contemporary Middle East."--Middle East Journal "Haas is thoroughly convincing in his arguments that ideological distance and ideological multipolarity indeed have a profound influence on the formation of foreign policy. With a wealth of detail, this book is a fascinating, releveant read for both academics and policymakers."--Mediterranean Quarterly