“Moderate” Arab States: From the Cold War to the Syrian Conflict

Moderation has been a recurring theme in international politics, particularly the politics of Middle East, where foreign and regional actors have often categorized others themselves as either “moderates” or “radicals.” However, very few works sought to deconstruct meaning moderation this context. Those that addressed issue mostly treated Western attempt simplify geopolitics dichotomize justify their choices allies policy toward region. This article argues “moderate” evolved from category analysis one practice. The so-called moderates, after negotiating word's meaning, embraced it description themselves. Through an examination evolution Arabs label Cold War Syrian civil war, demonstrates word through negotiations among powers introduced moderates Furthermore, role practice come play geopolitics.