# Sectarianism and Sectarian De-Escalation ## expand\_more ![Vank Cathedral, Isfahan, Iran.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/shiism-global-affairs/files/vank-horizontal.jpg) From the rise of ISIS and militant extremism in the context of an eroding Arab state system to the intensification of inter-state rivalries in the Middle East, the dire consequences of violent sectarianism and conflict—which can tear apart the societies of the Islamic world—have never been greater in modern history. Now more than ever, dialogue both within the Islamic tradition and between different religious groups is critical for the future peace, stability, and prosperity of the Middle East, the broader Islamic world, and transnational Muslim communities across the globe, including in Europe and North America. To address these challenges, the Project on Shi’ism in Global Affairs undertakes research on the harmful aspects of sectarianism and pathways for durable peace-building and conflict resolution, including through undertaking sectarian de-escalation and enabling peaceful co-habitation. *Photo caption: Vank Cathedral, Isfahan, Iran.* Featured Publications Related Events ## Featured Publications Melani Cammett. 4/10/2019. [Lebanon, the Sectarian Identity Test Lab](/publications/lebanon-sectarian-identity-test-lab). The Century Foundation. [Publisher's Version](https://tcf.org/content/report/lebanon-sectarian-identity-test-lab) 7/1/2018. “[Symposium Aims to Reduce Sectarianism in Muslim World](/publications/symposium-aims-reduce-sectarianism-muslim-world)[.]()” Belfer Center Newsletter Spring 7/1/2018. [Publisher's Version](https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/symposium-aims-reduce-sectarianism-muslim-world) Payam Mohseni and Seyed Ammar Nakhjavani. 6/25/2018. “[The United States Cannot Afford to Pick a Side in the Shia-Sunni Fight](/publications/united-states-cannot-afford-pick-side-shia-sunni-fight).” The National Interest. [Publisher's Version](http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-united-states-cannot-afford-pick-side-the-shia-sunni-26403?page=show) ![9780765614971.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/9780765614971.jpg?itok=xUG4GcR9) Hassan Abbas. 3/26/2015. [Pakistan's Drift into Extremism: Allah, the Army, and America's War on Terror](/publications/pakistans-drift-extremism-allah-army-and-americas-war-terror). New York: Routledge. [Publisher's Version](https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315701912) ![51eigmu2oal._sx323_bo1204203200_.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/51eigmu2oal._sx323_bo1204203200_.jpg?itok=VhGdCyuF) Hassan Abbas. 8/27/2015. [The Taliban Revival: Violence and Extremism on the Pakistan-Afghanistan Frontier](/publications/taliban-revival-violence-and-extremism-pakistan-afghanistan). Yale University Press. [Publisher's Version](https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300216165/taliban-revival) ![compassionate_communalism.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/compassionate_communalism.jpg?itok=yGc71CiX) Melani Cammett. 2014. [Compassionate Communalism: Welfare and Sectarianism in Lebanon](/publications/compassionate-communalism-welfare-and-sectarianism-lebanon), Pp. 336. 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