Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract If we categorize ineffective states into weak, fragile, and failed states, it becomes clear that in the 20th century, Africa was home to most failed states, weakness and fragile states were in the Middle East and Latin America. But since the beginning of the 21st century, weak Middle Eastern states have been on a downward spiral toward becoming failed states in such a way that now three out of 10 failed states, namely Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, are in the Middle East. The present article seeks to identify the determining factors in this transition. The findings of the study shows that out of five causes of state failure, corruption and plundering by the government and reform crisis are common to the three mentioned countries. These two causes, coupled with unique factors in each country (intensification of religion and ethnic conflicts in Iraq, the decline in the power of democratic processes in Syria, and the war in Yemen) have led to them becoming failed states.