Shia Islam and Politics: Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon

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This book argues that ever since Irans Islamic Revolution in 1979, which established a Shia Islamic government in Iran, that countrys religious and political leaders have used Shia Islam as a crucial way of expanding Irans objectives in the Middle East and beyond. Since 1979, Irans religious and political leaders have been concerned about Irans security in the face of the hostility and expansionism of the United States and other western countries, and the threats from powerful neighboring Sunni leaders and countries. While Irans government has attempted to align itself with Shia Muslims in various countries, such as Iraq and Lebanon, against American and Sunni expansionism, the Iranian government has attempted to religiously nourish and politically mobilize those Shias as a matter of principle, not only because of the Iranian governments desires to protect Iran from external threats. The book analyzes Shia Islam and politics in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon which have among the largest proportional Shia populations in the Middle East and are vibrant centers of Shia intellectual life. The book's clear and jargon-free approach make it especially accessible for students and general readers who would like an introduction to the book's topics.

Reviews

This clear and accessible book presents historical, intellectual, political, and religious contexts for understanding Shia Islam and modern politics in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and beyond. Its comparative approach, comprehensive scope, and compelling insights make it enormously useful for students, scholars, and general readers. -- Berge Traboulsi, Haigazian University
Jon Armajani provides an accessible, balanced, and substantial treatment of the much touted but little understood Shia Crescent. Writing for informed, curious, non-specialists, Armajani presents a dispassionate political history which is no small feat when his subject matter includes the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the US wars in Iraq. He addresses a primarily American audience without privileging an American perspective. The power of this book is in compelling us to see that there is always a backstory; and that the fortunes of these three countries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, up to and including the most recent wave of popular demonstrations during Fall 2019, can only be understood in the light of that story. -- Heather Keaney, Westmont College
This is a remarkably tight and well structured book that clearly articulates the historical and contemporary significance of Shi'ism in the modern Middle East. It is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the interplay of religion and politics in the region, and especially the ways that Iran has grown its influence over the past century. -- Nancy L. Stockdale, University of North Texas

Author Bio

Jon Armajani is professor in the peace studies department at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint Johns University and is the author of Modern Islamist Movements: History, Religion, and Politics.