The United States and Persian Gulf security : the foundations of the War on Terror / Steven Wright.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wright, Steven M.

Series:

Durham Middle East monographs

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Persian Gulf Region--Foreign relations--United States.

Persian Gulf Region.

United States--Foreign relations--1993-2001.

United States.

International relations.

United States--Foreign relations--2001-2009.

United States--Foreign relations--Iran.

Iran.

United States--Foreign relations--Iraq.

Iraq.

Iran--Foreign relations--United States.

Iraq--Foreign relations--United States.

War on Terrorism, 2001-2009.

Physical Description:

v, 242 pages ; 25 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Reading, UK : Ithaca Press, [2007]

Summary:

The international relations of the Persian Gulf have long been dominated by power politics. Its unrivalled energy resources have traditionally made this geopolitical arena a vital national security interest for the United States. Historically, Persian Gulf security became synonymous with the maintenance of the political status quo, but with the onset of the War on Terror, US foreign policy has shifted in priority towards combatting the root causes of Islamic extremism.

The age-old policy of maintaining stability to ensure a free and secure flow of energy is now recognized as having fuelled Islamic extremism. The new strategic objective for the United States is to see a complete overhaul of the political systems within the region and to develop a culture of political participation to achieve regional security and ensure US homeland security. It is a new agenda wholly in keeping with the messianic Wilsonian values that have long been part of US foreign policy.

The purpose of this book is to offer a detailed analysis of US foreign policy towards Iran and Iraq since the onset of the post-Cold War era and to chart its developments and changes right through to the contemporary period of the War on Terror epitomized by the Presidency of George W. Bush. It also provides a detailed examination of US foreign policy towards political Islam to show why and how US strategic interests have so fundamentally changed since the trauma of the 9/11 attacks. Written in a clear and accessible style, the book is sure to prove invaluable for students, policymakers, and the general reader interested in the politics and security of this highly important but volatile region of the Middle East.

Contents:

Pt. 1. Setting the context of change in US foreign policy. The architecture of US foreign policy under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush

The emergence of the War on Terror: political Islam and grand strategy

pt. 2. The United States and the Persian Gulf in the post-Cold War era. The Clinton years and Iran: containment and engagement

The Clinton years and Iraq: strategic regime change

pt. 3. The United States and the Persian Gulf in the War on Terror. Iraq and the War on Terror: untangling tactical and strategic policy

Iran: proliferation, preventative use of force and regime change

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 209-231) and index.

ISBN:

0863723217

9780863723216

OCLC:

153581085