Islamists and the Arab Revolutions: Bitter Experiences (Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Democratization and Government)

This monograph offers the most comprehensive and regionally grounded analysis to date of how Islamist movements across the Middle East responded to – and were transformed by – the 2010–2011 Arab uprisings.

Far from a monolithic force, Islamist actors across Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Morocco, Libya, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, and the Gulf reacted in divergent and contradictory ways to the revolutionary wave. This volume brings together scholars from within the region who not only document the evolving role of Islamist parties in their respective contexts but also critically examine how their ideologies, internal structures, and political strategies were challenged, revised, or, in some cases, further radicalized. Drawing on case studies of both participation and repression, electoral victories and authoritarian backlash, the chapters offer a panoramic view of Islamists navigating revolution, governance, exile, and counter-revolution. From the Muslim Brotherhood’s dramatic rise and fall in Egypt to Ennahda’s contested governance in Tunisia, and the fragmented Islamist scene in post-Qaddafi Libya, this book reveals how the Arab uprisings served as a turning point – exposing both the potential and the limits of political Islam.

Essential reading for scholars and students of Middle East politics, Islamist movements, revolutionary studies, and democratization, this book provides crucial insights into the turbulent interplay between ideology, power, and social transformation in the contemporary Arab world.

Khaled Hroub is a Professor at Northwestern University in Qatar. He previously taught Middle East history and politics at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on Arab politics and religion, with emphasis on Palestine and the broader Middle East. He is the author of several books, including works on Hamas and religious broadcasting in the region. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.

Abdullah Baabood is the Qatar Chair for Islamic Area Studies and a Visiting Professor at Waseda University. He has held prominent academic positions at Qatar University and the University of Cambridge, with a focus on Gulf politics, economics, and foreign relations. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from the University of Kent.