Rising Powers in the Gulf

>A seminar with David Des Roches (Near East South Asia Center for Security Studies) and David Roberts (King’s College and PSIA). 

 

Rising Powers in the Gulf: What, Why and So What?

Friday 8 March 2019 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Room Jean Monnet, 56 rue Jacob, Paris
Registration is compulsory

Introduction by Mark Maloney, Vice Dean, PSIA

Something is changing on and around the Arabian Peninsula. For the first time in their modern histories, the Gulf monarchies, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are not relying on traditional powers like the US and the UK to secure the wider Gulf region. This is, in many ways, the culmination of decades of western support of the Gulf monarchies, boosting their capabilities and thus underpinning their desire to take on regional security burdens. But the implications of the rise of Gulf monarchies to regional power are yet to be considered. The UAE entrenching itself in the Horn of Africa region through the establishment of a range of military bases may bring a stability and help to prevent the return of piracy. Already, the UAE presence may have contributed to the surprising thawing of relations between long-term disputants Ethiopia and Eritrea. Equally, the war in Yemen remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises and the Qatar-blockade shattered regional norms and deeply embittered regional relations. This event will reflect on these trends and consider what they may mean for regional security going forwards. 

David Des Roches is an Associate Professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Security Studies (Washington, USA). Prior to this, he was the director responsible for defense policy concerning Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Prior to this assignment, he has served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 

Dr David B Roberts is an Assistant Professor in the School of Security Studies at King’s College London and a Visiting Professor at PSIA, Sciences Po. David focuses on the international relations, security, and domestic politics of the Gulf monarchies.