ABSTRACT
The chapter’s main objective is to explore the dynamic interplay between sectarianism and power politics in the Middle East, and Syria in particular. To what extent has political realignment along sectarian lines become a significant driver of developments in the region? The depiction of the Syrian conflict as a sectarian proxy war that has taken the form of “Sunni versus Shi’a” covers only part of the highly localized, externally penetrated and complicated war. The principal argument is that regional actors involved in the Syrian war employ all necessary means—sectarian narratives among them—in their struggle for survival and maximization of influence.
