In the last decade, rulers in Gulf regimes have aspired to greater
strategic autonomy and distance from the West. Coined the "Gulf moment"
by local commentators, this regional trend reflects a redistribution of
power in the Arab world. This is the first book to examine the military
dimensions of these shifts. Gulf military strategy has prioritised the
improvement of local armed forces and the diversification of defence
partnerships towards countries such as Russia, Turkey or China. However,
this book shows how this has led to the militarisation of Gulf
societies, the further erosion of multilateral initiatives - including
the Gulf Cooperation Council - and the Gulf's perilous involvement in
the war in Yemen. The book also highlights enduring reliance on the
West.
Each chapter covers a key aspect of defence policy from governance of
armed forces, military education and power projection capabilities to
regional security cooperation and lessons from warfighting experiences.
Close attention is paid to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and
Qatar, countries that have enjoyed prominent roles in the region's
security affairs during the last ten years. The research is based on
extensive fieldwork and interviews with major decision-makers,
officials, and diplomatic and military representatives. It is also uses
recently declassified official documents to gain rare insight into what
Gulf countries intend for their defence policies.
