Sectarian securitization in the Middle East and the case of Israel

Abstract Focusing on the politics of sectarianism in Middle East after Arab uprisings, this article advances two main claims. First, it identifies current climate insecurity region amid major geopolitical shifts as a key condition that allows political leaders to present sectarian identities being under (existential) threat. However, heightened sense not only acts an enabling but is also outcome these securitization strategies. The ‘politics fear’ may thus trigger self-sustaining mechanism, or vicious cycle. Second, has intensified Israel since early 2000s, discusses cycle securitized case comparative perspective. By drawing attention (or thereof) against backdrop disruptive events, and by bringing into picture, contributes our understanding structure regional East. It concludes reflecting impact region's conflict potential comparability Israeli with those other states region.