The book by a team of Middle East scholars representing the Russian expert community is a wide-ranging study exploring the identity factor in the domestic and foreign policy of the Middle East countries. With a focus on such countries as Turkey, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, the authors contemplate the activities pursued by non-state actors. The impact of external forces on the political identities across the regional landscape is analyzed through the example of the United States policy of democracy promotion and the EU political approaches. The book may draw the attention of not only dedicated professionals, but also a much broader audience, who are interested in the major trends of political development and international affairs in the Middle East. It can serve as an indispensable tool for the educational purposes, considering a theoretical and practical value of the research efforts. The Russian version of the book was awarded the Yevgeny V. Tarle Prize by the Russian Academy of Sciences.