University of Guilan World Politics 2383-0123 4 4 2016 02 20 The Examination of the Reasons behind the Rise of Takfiri Groups in the Middle East (2011—2015) The Examination of the Reasons behind the Rise of Takfiri Groups in the Middle East (2011—2015) 128 103 1575 FA Amir Niakooee Journal Article 2016 03 10 The Arab revolts in the Middle East since 2011 encouraged many scholars to speak about the end of authoritarianism and formation of a new wave of democratization in the region. However, these optimisms were not realized and Islamist moderates and other democrat groups were marginalized in the aftermath of the developments and many takfiri and jihadist groups expanded their influence and have become dominant actors in some countries. It is noteworthy that takfiri groups such as Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant or Al Nusra- front have controlled many territories of Iraq and Syria by 2015. The present paper is to focus primarily on the reasons behind the rise of jihadists in Iraq and Syria. The main question is as follows: which factors have caused and facilitates the rise of Takfiri groups in Iraq and Syria since 2011. The findings of the paper illustrate that sectarianism and democracy crisis in the national level, regional competitions and the support of some powerful countries in the regional level and finally the relative inaction of great powers especially the United States have facilitated the expansion of jihadists in Iraq and Syria. However, the rise of Takfiris expands the insecurity and crisis in the region and may inspire the intervention of great powers. The Arab revolts in the Middle East since 2011 encouraged many scholars to speak about the end of authoritarianism and formation of a new wave of democratization in the region. However, these optimisms were not realized and Islamist moderates and other democrat groups were marginalized in the aftermath of the developments and many takfiri and jihadist groups expanded their influence and have become dominant actors in some countries. It is noteworthy that takfiri groups such as Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant or Al Nusra- front have controlled many territories of Iraq and Syria by 2015. The present paper is to focus primarily on the reasons behind the rise of jihadists in Iraq and Syria. The main question is as follows: which factors have caused and facilitates the rise of Takfiri groups in Iraq and Syria since 2011. The findings of the paper illustrate that sectarianism and democracy crisis in the national level, regional competitions and the support of some powerful countries in the regional level and finally the relative inaction of great powers especially the United States have facilitated the expansion of jihadists in Iraq and Syria. However, the rise of Takfiris expands the insecurity and crisis in the region and may inspire the intervention of great powers. https://interpolitics.guilan.ac.ir/article_1575_f4a2b7762accdab93ebdb60e2fe4ca88.pdf