It specialises in non-fiction books on Asian studies, the history of art, history of the Middle Ages and the modern period, politics and international relations, the Middle East and Islamic world generally, religious studies, geography and environment, and visual culture (including film, photography, and contemporary art).

Its books are aimed primarily at the specialist market, including academics and students of higher education.

In the period following the September 11 attacks, 2001, its publication Taliban by Ahmed Rashid is reported to have sold nearly 500,000 copies in English worldwide with 27 licensed editions internationally.

[8] In June 2013, the company announced an agreement with the American University in Cairo Press (AUCP), under which I.B.

Tauris strategy to be the dominant player in international Middle East Studies publishing.