Rethinking International Relations through the Middle East

This article examines the evolving relationship between the Middle East as a region and the broader field of International Relations (IR) theory. It investigates how different IR paradigms – realism, liberalism, constructivism, postcolonialism, and critical theories – have interacted with or been challenged by the Middle East’s regional dynamics. Drawing primarily from recent scholarship, this work highlights the gap between universal IR theory and region-specific complexities, ultimately proposing a more pluralistic and culturally informed theoretical synthesis.