Abstract
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel began a massive joint military attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran to which Iran has responded. At the time of the publication of this issue, the fighting continues and could become more widespread; the ultimate outcome of the conflict is unknown. This conflict highlights the importance of a deeper understanding of the region.
In the shadow of these events, people of the Middle East once again find their lives reordered by decisions taken far above their heads and far beyond their borders. The current war not only devastates cities, infrastructure, and fragile economies; it also deepens long-standing wounds of displacement, humiliation, and mistrust that stretch across a world that is already marked by polarization and fear.
This war arises amid extremely complex conditions, with entangled political, economic, social, and geostrategic factors consuming the Middle East. Its effects extend beyond the region, from East to West, through oil price spikes, faltering global supply chains, and surging inflation in distant economies. Vulnerable communities, from migrant workers in Gulf states to diaspora populations in Europe, feel the uncertainty. Yet resilience persists, in local truces mediated by community leaders, cross-border aid efforts, and quiet interfaith acts of solidarity.
The Journal of Social Encounters, committed to peace and justice studies, steps into this void. It seeks to fill the academic gaps, whether intentional or incidental, that are sidelined by politics. This special issue draws together diverse scholars examining dynamism and transformation in the Arab world and Middle East. They blend careful analysis of violence and power shifts with attention to gender justice, cultural resistance, transnational solidarity, faith practices, and historical encounters. We encourage readers to engage thoughtfully with these works, reflecting on their insights and implications. The abstracts below summarize the essays on our special issue topic.
Recommended Citation
ElBahlawan, Eslam; Mohamed, Mawa; and Pagnucco, Ron
(2026)
"Introduction: The Arab World and Middle East in an Age of Dynamism and Change,"
The Journal of Social Encounters:
Vol. 10:
Iss.
1, 1-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69755/2995-2212.1392
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/social_encounters/vol10/iss1/1
Home > Journals > The Journal of Social Encounters > Vol. 10 (2026) > Iss. 1
Introduction: The Arab World and Middle East in an Age of Dynamism and Change
Authors
Eslam ElBahlawan, Bayreuth University
Mawa Mohamed, Goethe University - Frankfurt
Ron Pagnucco, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
Abstract
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel began a massive joint military attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran to which Iran has responded. At the time of the publication of this issue, the fighting continues and could become more widespread; the ultimate outcome of the conflict is unknown. This conflict highlights the importance of a deeper understanding of the region.
In the shadow of these events, people of the Middle East once again find their lives reordered by decisions taken far above their heads and far beyond their borders. The current war not only devastates cities, infrastructure, and fragile economies; it also deepens long-standing wounds of displacement, humiliation, and mistrust that stretch across a world that is already marked by polarization and fear.
This war arises amid extremely complex conditions, with entangled political, economic, social, and geostrategic factors consuming the Middle East. Its effects extend beyond the region, from East to West, through oil price spikes, faltering global supply chains, and surging inflation in distant economies. Vulnerable communities, from migrant workers in Gulf states to diaspora populations in Europe, feel the uncertainty. Yet resilience persists, in local truces mediated by community leaders, cross-border aid efforts, and quiet interfaith acts of solidarity.
The Journal of Social Encounters, committed to peace and justice studies, steps into this void. It seeks to fill the academic gaps, whether intentional or incidental, that are sidelined by politics. This special issue draws together diverse scholars examining dynamism and transformation in the Arab world and Middle East. They blend careful analysis of violence and power shifts with attention to gender justice, cultural resistance, transnational solidarity, faith practices, and historical encounters. We encourage readers to engage thoughtfully with these works, reflecting on their insights and implications. The abstracts below summarize the essays on our special issue topic.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
ElBahlawan, Eslam; Mohamed, Mawa; and Pagnucco, Ron (2026) "Introduction: The Arab World and Middle East in an Age of Dynamism and Change," The Journal of Social Encounters: Vol. 10: Iss. 1, 1-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69755/2995-2212.1392
Available at: https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/social_encounters/vol10/iss1/1
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