This book explores the increasing political and social prominence of Islamist groups across the Middle East in recent years. The aftermath of the 2011 uprisings saw some groups access or even control political institutions through success at the ballot box, while there has also been a marked resurgence of armed Islamist groups that have had profound effects at both the national and regional level. This volume helps us to understand the nature and development of organised political Islam over recent decades in several key Arab and Mediterranean countries: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, and Turkey. The book identifies the central social and political Islamist actors, traces their ideological differences and similarities, and analyses power relations both within and between these organizations in the context of political instability and uncertainty. It will be of interest to students and scholars across a broad range ofdisciplines including political science, sociology, and international relations.

Applies a common theoretical approach to understand the behaviour of Islamist actors

Chapter 1. From Revolution to Moderation? The Long Road of Political Islam.- Chapter 2. Lebanon and the Islamist Victory in a Multi-Faith Environment.- Chapter 3. The Battles of Political Islam in Syria.- Chapter 4. Between Pragmatism and Ideological Zeal: The Path of Palestinian Political Islam.- Chapter 5. Islamist Forces in Contemporary Egypt: The End of Conventional Dualities.- Chapter 6. Political Islam in Libya: Vanguards Before and After the War.- Chapter 7. Political Islam in Tunisia: The Changing Landscape.- Chapter 8. Algerian Islamism: Elites, Power Resources and Power Relations.- Chapter 9. Political Islam in Morocco: Islamic Principles as a Resource for Political Power.- Chapter 10. Evolution of the Islamist Groups in Mauritania.- Chapter 11. Conclusions.