The Fifth Wave of Terrorism andthe Regional Security Complex in the Persian Gulf

This research aims to examine the impacts of the fifth wave of terrorism on the prevailing pattern of the security complex in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical, and the results indicate that the novel wave of terrorism, considering its historical roots in the 20th century, influenced by imposed nation-building and multiple crises of identity, has taken shape. Thus, its roots can be traced in issues such as non-civilian foundations and ethnic and religious exclusivism, lack of consensus and agreement among national and religious actors, a disruptive and weak government incapable of achieving good governance and providing desirable services to the people, and regional and extra-regional interventions, particularly by the United States. The fifth wave of terrorism is characterized by features like fractures in ruling governments, the establishment of independent groups, claims of creating new governance, shifts in the meaning of balance, uncontrolled violence, international expansion of violent activities, and the ability to revive, strengthens previous patterns of friendship and enmity, alters the power distribution at the regional level, breaks down autonomous regional units, and creates a more significant ground for foreign intervention. Consequently, it changes the prevailing pattern of the security complex from a competitive to an adversarial model.