International politics of the Persian Gulf / edited by Mehran Kamrava.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Kamrava, Mehran, editor.

Series:

Modern intellectual and political history of the Middle East.

Modern Intellectual and Political History of the Middle East

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

National security--Persian Gulf Region.

National security.

Persian Gulf Region--Foreign relations--21st century.

Persian Gulf Region.

Persian Gulf Region--Foreign economic relations--21st century.

Persian Gulf Region--Politics and government--21st century.

Persian Gulf Region--Strategic aspects.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xviii, 374 p. ) ill. ;

Place of Publication:

Syracuse, New York : Syracuse University Press, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For much of the contemporary history of the Middle East, the Persian Gulf has stood at the center of the region's strategic significance. At the same time, the Gulf has been wracked by political instability and tension. As far back as the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Britain zeroed in on the Persian Gulf as a critical passageway to its crown jewel, India, and entered into protectorate agreements with local ruling families, thus bestowing on them international legitimacy and, eventually, the resources and support necessary to ascend to kingships. Today, the region is undergoing profound changes that range from rapid economic and infrastructural development to tumultuous social and cultural transformations. Far from eroding the area's political significance, these changes have only accentuated rivalries and tensions and have brought to the forefront new challenges to international security and stability. Together, the essays in this volume present a comprehensive, detailed, and accessible account of the international politics of the region. Focusing on the key factors that give the Persian Gulf its strategic significance, contributors look at the influence of vast deposits of oil and natural gas on international politics, the impact of the competing centers of power of Iran and Saudi Arabia, the nature of relationships among countries within the Persian Gulf, and the evolving interaction between Islam and politics. Throughout the collection, issues of internal and international security are shown to be central. Drawing on the comprehensive knowledge and experience of experts in the region, T he International Politics of the Persian Gulf shines a bright light on this area, offering insights and thoughtful analyses on the critical importance of this troubled region to global politics.

Contents:

The changing international relations of the Persian Gulf / Mehran Kamrava

Sovereignty and boundaries in the Persian Gulf states : settling the peripheries / J.E. Peterson

Security dilemmas in the contemporary Persian Gulf / Fred H. Lawson

Foreign policy in the GCC states / Steven Wright

GCC perceptions of collective security in the post-Saddam era / Joseph Kostiner

American policy toward the Persian Gulf : strategies, effectiveness, and consequences / Mohammed Ayoob

Regional consequences of internal turmoil in Iraq / Daniel L. Byman

Saudi Arabia's regional security strategy / F. Gregory Gause III

Iranian foreign and security policies in the Persian Gulf / Mehran Kamrava

China, India, and the Persian Gulf : converging interests? / N. Janardhan

Political reform and foreign policy in Persian Gulf monarchies / Katja Niethammer.

Notes:

"Published in association with the Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780815651529

081565152X

OCLC:

759922760