Foreign Policy Analysis and Armed Non-State Actors in World Politics: Lessons from the Middle East

Abstract The study of armed non-state actors (ANSAs) has grown exponentially in the last two decades. This article explores foreign policy ANSAs as a new empirical domain for analysis (FPA) by drawing on various examples from Middle East to show merit this area novel and theoretical studies. identifies ANSAs’ showing how FPA research so far remained state-centric almost completely ignores ANSAs. While external engagement were examined within scholarship civil wars, can be adapted provide systematic scholarly understanding phenomenon. Finally, studying policies revitalize drive its agenda into directions.