Constructing an Islamic Theory of IR: The Case of Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, Ummah, Jihād and the World

Abstract

Over the last thirty-five years, the issue of Islam, international relations, and IR theory emerged in more than one context: the Iranian revolution and its impact on Gulf and global politics; the role of Islam in Afghan politics from the Soviet intervention up to the Taliban regime and beyond; the attitude of Muslim countries with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and diplomatic process; the Gulf crisis (1990–1991) and its management over the following decade; the attack on the Twin Towers and the rise of al-Qa’idah; the “Arab spring” and the — so far ephemeral — electoral success of Islamic movements in Tunisia and Egypt; and, last, the apocalyptic turn of the jihadist neo-caliphate (Wood 2015).