This volume investigates the defining historical processes and structural developments that have shaped the Middle East and North Africa over the last two centuries. Editors Amal N. Ghazal and Jens Hanssen assemble a collection of scholarly contributions to address the analytical gaps exposed by recent regional uprisings. The work prioritizes countries often marginalized in traditional surveys, providing a rigorous framework for understanding the complex political and social shifts in the modern era.

Experts recognize this handbook as a significant academic resource for filling gaps in contemporary regional historiography. Scholars frequently cite the text for its depth of analysis regarding under-studied nations and its utility as a foundational reference for advanced students and researchers.