Francesco Belcastro is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of DerbyEdward Wastnidge is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at the Open University

'Many postcolonial or poststructuralist authors see realist theories of IR as a domination narrative itself, as a false analytical tool at the service of the interests of most powerful nations, not willing to explain international politics but shaping and legitimizing domination and subordination. Instead, International relations in a multipolar Middle East adopts a distinctive approach to address some of the problems identified by postcolonial assessments vindicating a focus on power distribution and multipolarity and the use of adapted versions of realism. This original approach marks a step forward in the classical discussion between area studies and International Relations.'International Affairs

• 1. The Multipolar Middle East: an introduction – Francesco Belcastro and Edward Wastnidge Part I – Theoretical Reflections2. The Impact of Multipolarity on Regional Alliances in the Middle East - Curtis R. Ryan3. Neoclassical Realism as a path for growing collaboration across Middle East International Relations and Area Studies - Luíza Cerioli 4. Polarity and Polarisation in International Relations: making the case for the MENA region - Mekia NedjarPart II – Identities and Geopolitics in a Multipolar Middle East5. The India-UAE partnership in the Indian Ocean: Prospects in a changing global order - Sumitha Narayanan Kutty 6. Rising Power Responses to Middle East Conflict: Russia, India and China in Yemen, Syria and Libya - Guy Burton 7. Regional Security Interdependence: The Middle East and the Horn of Africa - Ariel González Levaggi and Federico Donelli 8. Riyadh on the Move: Saudi Arabia in a Multiplex World - Jon Hoffman 9. The European Union and the Syria Conflict: The Cost of Policy Incoherence - Jasmine Gani