"This book analyzes the emergence of international interaction in the 20th century Arab world. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Arab nationalist movements first considered establishing a unified regional arrangement to take the empire's place and to present a common front to outside powers. But over time, different Arab leaderships abandoned this project, adopting instead policies characteristic of self-interested, territorially limited states. Within several decades, an anarchic states-system had emerged in the Arab world."--BOOK JACKET.

Introduction: origins of states-systems -- Westphalian sovereignty comes to the Arab world -- Regulation, surveillance, and state formation -- Commercial interests and elite bargains -- Domestic conflict and regime maintenance -- Conclusion: Pan-Arabism, postimperial orders, and international norms.