The states of West Asia continue to grapple with dramatic changes taking place in the domestic and regional environment. Security has emerged as a significant concern for them. The political upheavals, civil strife, sectarian violence, and terrorism in the area have implications for the regional and global order. As the region grapples with myriad socio-economic problems, many extra-regional players and non-state actors, and a few regional ones, are attempting to carve out their own areas of influence. These developments across West Asia demand constant monitoring and careful analyses. This book is a collection of essays exploring various aspects of the changing security paradigm in West Asia and the regional and international responses.

Ideology, Politics and New Security Challenges in West Asia, is the collection of papers presented during the international conference on West Asia on January 19-20, 2016. As dramatic changes are taking place in domestic and regional political environments in most countries of the West Asian region, this volume provides an in-depth assessment of the changing security paradigm in the West Asian region, examines the conflicting ideologies and their implications and looks at the resurgence and spread of extremism and terrorism in West Asia, focusing on the ISIS and its impact for the region and beyond. Besides, this edited volume highlights the role and involvement of the extra-regional powers while providing insight into the geopolitical shift in the global energy scenario and its implications for the supplier and consumer countries. Finally, the book examines India's growing partnership with the region, explaining various opportunities and challenges.

The West Asian region is undergoing a phase of massive turbulence since the outbreak of the Arab Spring. This period has been marked by popular protests, internal conflicts, civil wars, military interventions and involvement of external players. The regional security situation remains fragile with a new terrorist entity, the Islamic State, emerging to challenge the existing geographical boundaries of the region. There has been an enormous increase in terrorism and extremism, and the non-state actors have gained significant influence in regional politics.