The Arab region has suffered over a decade of extreme conflict, with significant repercussions for the development of higher education in conflict-affected countries. Yet higher education remains marginal to recovery debates in the region. This book addresses this gap through comparative analysis of five war-affected contexts: Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza. Based on extensive fieldwork and sustained policy engagement, it reveals how universities have endured protracted conflict, adapted under extreme constraints, and participated in reconstruction efforts-often with minimal external support. Challenging dominant approaches to post-conflict intervention, it foregrounds local agency, institutional adaptation, and nationally driven processes. It also documents the shift toward recognizing higher education as both a humanitarian concern and a developmental priority. This is the first study to position universities at the center of recovery discourse in conflict-affected Arab states. This is a Flip it Open title and may be available open access on Cambridge Core.

‘Sansom Milton documents the extraordinary resilience of the universities of the Arab world, reminding us that even in bitter conflict and devastating war, from Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Gaza, the thirst for knowledge is unquenchable and the value of education incalculable. While rebuilding and recovery may seem like distant goals, the message here is heartening and it deserves a wide and attentive audience.'

Lisa Anderson - Former President of the American University in Cairo

‘This is an important and timely book on an under-researched topic. As Sansom Milton shows, higher education is a crucial future-shaping resource in contexts with young populations. This book is highly recommended and is an excellent contribution to our understanding of the complexities of post-war reconstruction.'

Roger Mac Ginty - Durham University

‘A pioneering and deeply grounded study that convincingly places higher education at the center of post-conflict recovery. Essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working at the intersection of education, conflict, and rebuilding.'

Alpaslan Ozerdem - Dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University

‘A splendid work of scholarship by Sansom Milton, grounded in primary data and regional engagement. This book offers both insight and hope for higher education in the Arab world.'

Fadlo R. Khuri, MD - President, American University of Beirut