What The West Is Getting Wrong About The Middle East: Why Islam Is Not The Problem

The West's actions in the Middle East are based on a fundamental misunderstanding; political Islam is repeatedly assumed to be the main cause of conflict and unrest in the region. The idea that we can decipher jihadist radicalization or problems in the Middle East simply by reading the Qur'an has now become symptomatic of our age. This over-simplification and obsession with Islam dominates media and policy analysis, skewing interventions and preventing long-term solutions and stability in the region.

Ömer Taspinar, who has 20 years of research and policymaking experience, explains what is really going on in the Middle East. The book is based on three pressing cases: the role of Erdogan and unrest in Turkey; sectarian clashes in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon; and the existence of the Islamic State. Islam is often seen as the root cause of these issues. However, by unpacking the real issues—entrenched authoritarianism, energy resources, defense spending, and the youth bulge—the book demystifies what is happening and cites governance and nationalism as the main drivers of conflict. It emphasizes the importance of addressing economic, social, and institutional causes rather than focusing solely on Islamist parties and jihadist movements. This insider's account provides a map to understanding Middle Eastern wars and conflicts and the prospects for the future.