Rebel Governance in the Middle East
Edited by Ibrahim Fraihat and Abdalhadi Alijla
Palgrave Macmillan Singapore, 2023
When looking at the field of rebel governance, it is evident that the Middle East has been somewhat underrepresented compared to other regions (Arjona, Kasfir, and Mampilly 2015; Mampilly 2011). Fraihat and Alijla’s edited volume is a welcome effort to fill this gap and shed light on the significant presence of armed groups in the Middle East.
The book features various cases from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Palestine, showcasing the diversity of governance efforts in the region. While some chapters present theoretical analyses and innovative insights, others focus more on descriptive accounts without engaging significantly with existing literature on rebel governance.
Despite some inconsistencies in the volume, it is clear that the authors bring valuable locally informed perspectives to the study of rebel governance, offering insights that may have been overlooked in external analyses. The book contributes significantly to understanding rebel governance in the Middle East and sets the stage for further theoretical advancements in the field.
The chapters in this volume cover a range of topics, from state-insurgent interactions to the role of ideology in governance implementation, providing a comprehensive overview of rebel governance practices in the region. While some chapters stand out for their thorough analysis and insightful arguments, others could benefit from more rigorous engagement with existing literature and methodologies.
In conclusion, this edited volume makes a substantial contribution to the study of rebel governance in the Middle East, expanding the scope of research beyond traditional narratives and highlighting the complexities of governance in conflict-ridden societies. It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in understanding the dynamics of rebel governance in the region.
References:
Arjona, A., Kasfir, N. and Mampilly, Z. (eds.) (2015) Rebel Governance in Civil War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Furlan, M. (2022) ‘State Weakness, al-Qa’ida, and Rebel Governance: Yemen from the Arab Spring until 2022’, The Middle East Journal, 76(1), pp. 9–28.
Leezenberg, M. (2016) ‘The ambiguities of democratic autonomy: the Kurdish movement in Turkey and Rojava’, Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 16(4), pp. 671–690. doi: 10.1080/14683857.2016.1246529.
Mampilly, Z.C. (2011) Rebel rulers: Insurgent Governance and Civilian Life During War. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
Schwab, R. (2018) ‘Insurgent courts in civil wars: the three pathways of (trans)formation in today’s Syria (2012–2017)’, Small Wars & Insurgencies, 29(4), pp. 801–826.
Teiner, D. (2022) ‘Rebel governance: a vibrant field of research,’ Zeitschrift Für Politikwissenschaft, 32(3), pp. 747–766.
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