Seeking Stability Amidst Disorder: The Foreign Policies of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, 2010-20

The 2010s were a decade of transformation and conflict in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar declaring stability to be their main objective. However, their assessments diverged on what characterized and drove the unrest, leading to different views of how politics should be organized and what role external powers should play. This book develops an original analytical framework linking stability to order and provides a useful lens through which to understand foreign policy in the Gulf.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The 2010s were a transformative and turbulent decade in the Middle East, marked by the Arab Uprisings and the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar, the three Arab states with the most ambitious regional policies, proclaimed stability as their primary objective. However, beneath this shared goal lay profound differences in their agendas and priorities. Despite their agreement that the Middle East had descended into unprecedented instability following the Arab Uprisings, their assessments of the root causes and drivers of unrest diverged significantly. This led each country to develop distinct and sometimes conflicting perspectives on how politics should be organized within and between states in the region, as well as the role of external powers in fostering stability.

In the absence of a universally accepted definition of stability, this book offers an innovative analytical framework that connects stability to order. By examining the interplay between these two concepts, the book provides a valuable lens through which to understand foreign policy in the Gulf. It challenges the notion that governments can simply frame their relations with other states by invoking a shared commitment to stability, highlighting that this does not necessarily imply strategic alignment.

The book explores the complex dynamics that shape stability and order in the Gulf region, including the role of regional power dynamics, sectarianism, economic interests, and geopolitical rivalries. It sheds light on the strategies employed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to promote stability and address their respective challenges, such as countering terrorism, managing regional conflicts, and developing their economies.

At the same time, the book acknowledges the limitations and complexities of stability efforts in the Gulf. It highlights the challenges posed by internal political dynamics, social unrest, and regional rivalries that can undermine stability efforts. It also explores the role of external powers, such as the United States, Iran, and China, in shaping stability in the region and the potential for conflicts and tensions to arise from their involvement.

Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of stability and order in the Middle East, offering valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and policymakers alike. It sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape the region's political landscape and highlights the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 224 x 146 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805260417