The Future Of The Gulf Region

This book studies values and attitudes in the Gulf region. In light of global power shifts, the threatening collapse of internal security in the West, and uncertainty about the current leadership vacuum in world society, this book explores a future leading role of the Gulf countries in such institutions as the G-20 and the OECD. Based on rigorous analysis of macro-level data and opinion surveys with relevance for the Gulf region, it analyzes the global macro-factors shaping the Gulf's future at a time of the global COVID-19 crisis and depression and rising global tensions. Starting with an empirical time series analysis of the long cycles of global politics and economics, it highlights the implications for the Gulf region. Offering a multivariate analysis of civil society values in the Gulf, the author analyzes value changes and attitudes on antisemitism, political Islam, internal security, democracy, and other issues of Arab politics. The partially optimistic conclusions of the study testify to the underestimated and incipient maturity of the Gulf’s civil society and strongly suggest that the Gulf's future is rather with the free societies of the West and not with a Neo-Ottoman Empire in whatever form. "Exceptional in scope and right up-to-the-minute in coverage" Brian M Pollins, Associate, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University. "An outstanding and topical book by an astute scholar of the MENA region" Professor Hussein Solomon, Academic Head of Department, Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State, South Africa. "The most comprehensive and insightful study on the subject to date" Manfred B. Steger, Professor of Sociology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa and Global Professorial Fellow, Western Sydney University.

This collection of speeches explores ideas pertinent to the current and future security status of the Gulf region. Issues discussed include regional sources of instability, future security, British policy and energy security

Throughout history, the Arabian Gulf has always commanded a strategic and positive significance, whether as a hub of world trade or as a major supplier of the world's energy. However, since 2001, the entire Middle East, including the Gulf region, has come under negative scrutiny as a potential battleground in the unrelenting war against terrorism. After 2003, the region has been exposed to new vulnerabilities stemming from the divisive and deadly war in Iraq. Against this disturbing backdrop, the Gulf region must deal with diverse challenges: the deteriorating regional security environment, the sweeping effects of globalization, the diversification of oil-dependent economies, the transition to knowledge-based economies, burgeoning population levels, rising demand for job-creation, externally induced reform pressures, and widening political participation. Influential policy makers, regional leaders, respected scholars, and experienced analysts who gathered at the Ninth Annual Conference of The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, held from January 11-13, 2004 in Abu Dhabi, focused on the subject of The Gulf: Challenges of the Future. In identifying major hurdles to political, economic, and social development, they also pinpointed effective ways to surmount these difficulties through new and existing frameworks. Collectively, these conference presentations offer insight on shifting security parameters, redefining of government responsibilities, initiating political and social change, evolving media roles and responsibilities, and expanding opportunities for women in the Gulf. Particular sections assess the security situations in Iraq and Iran, as well as their wider implications, while sketching the prospects for greater security cooperation and economic integration in the Gulf region.

The geopolitical importance of the Gulf region is a source both of great interest and great tension. David Commins here provides an in-depth narrative of the modern political history of the Gulf States, offering a comprehensive and accessible account of their recent development and strategic importance. This book sets out a detailed study of the region's history, starting from the empires and dynasties of the pre-modern era. Focusing primarily on economic, cultural, religious and social themes, it works its way forward through the pre-modern patterns of the 14th century to the Muslim empires that dominated in the 16th to early 18th centuries, and from the era of British supremacy to the formation of modern states, Arab nationalism and revolution. The motifs of geography, hierarchy and values are interwoven throughout the book as it examines important topics, including the influence of the Ottoman Empire, the rise of Arab dynasties, oil wealth and modern prosperity, and the formation of the Gulf States as we know them today. Commins goes on to examine recent American involvement in the region, taking examples of American intervention and influence from Kuwait and Iraq, to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Considering America's increasing hegemony since the 1970s, the book compares the American role in the region to that of the earlier British supremacy - crucially linking the financial burdens of American actions to the US future as regional hegemon. With the importance and impact of the Gulf States continuing to increase, and their futures the subject of much international speculation, this book is an invaluable source of information on the Gulf region's development, essential for students and researchers alike.

The four volumes in this major research collection address the key economic issues which affect the future development and diversification of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman. The work brings together state-of-the-art analysis by some 40 international scholars who participated in a major joint initiative by the EU and the GCC, the al-Jisr Gulf-Europe Research Program. This collection will prove an essential reference work for policy makers and scholars on all the critical issues facing the Gulf countries as their economies develop beyond dependence on the oil and gas sector and forge new international alliances.

This analysis offers fresh insight into security issues and social policy in the Gulf states. It covers the redefining of government responsibilities, the initiation of political and social change, the evolution of media roles, and the expansion of opportunities for women. The book also presents important new assessments of the security situations in Iraq and Iran, and early developments in security co-operation and economic integration in the region.

Five years of oil boom between 2003 and 2008 ushered an unparalleled sense of hope in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The prevailing mood was that it would be possible to develop and implement visions of transformative and far-reaching change. This book explores issues set to shap the future of GCC countries in coming decades.

CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2017 The Emergence of the Gulf States covers the history of the Gulf from the 18th century to the late 20th century. Employing a broad perspective, the volume brings together experts in the field to consider the region's political, economic and social development. The contributions address key themes including the impact of early history, religious movements, social structures, identity and language, imperialism, 20th-century economic transformation and relations with the wider Indian Ocean and Arab world. The work as a whole provides a new interpretive approach based on new research coupled with extensive reviews of the relevant literature. It offers a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the area and sets a new standard for the future scholarship and understanding of this vital region.