Foreign Policies of Gulf States (2023)

The Quest for Strategic Autonomy in the Gulf: Policies and Capabilities 

Workshop Concept 

This workshop delves into the evolving Gulf foreign and defense policies, notably the potential pivot of Gulf states from the U.S. towards China or Russia. We will explore Western perceptions of the Gulf as a fresh battleground for major powers and Gulf states’ quest for strategic autonomy. We invite papers that dissect the “great power competition” framework, assess local actors, and scrutinize the Gulf’s adoption of “strategic autonomy” as a tool to navigate these changes and fit in the changing global order.

“Strategic autonomy,” a term that has grown in relevance since the latter half of the 20th century, reflects a state’s ability to independently leverage its military, diplomatic, and economic powers for foreign policy. Historically, this concept epitomized the aspirations of emerging nations in Asia and Latin America, emphasizing self-reliance in foreign affairs. Its prominence in policy debates, especially in Europe, was intensified during President Donald Trump’s tenure, given apprehensions about U.S. commitment to NATO.

In this workshop, we will probe into the Gulf states’ endeavors to bolster their internal capabilities in defense, diplomacy, energy, and tech to achieve strategic autonomy. Specific areas of focus will include understanding strategic autonomy’s theory, gauging the Gulf’s inclination towards a revised security framework, assessing defense reforms, and studying the Gulf’s ascent as technological forerunners.

Recent trends underscore Gulf states’ drive to identify alternatives to the traditional great power dynamics, evident in military reforms and increased diplomatic initiatives, such as the Abraham Accords and the GCC-China Forum. Furthermore, the growing Sino-Gulf collaborations in infrastructure and tech sectors, epitomized by Huawei’s significant role, have steered debates towards evaluating if the Gulf’s strategies mirror “balancing” or “hedging” against the U.S. Concurrently, Gulf nations are channeling their economic assets to not only mitigate energy dependencies but also venture into cyber, AI, and space sectors, underlining their ambition to mold regional paradigms.

The workshop’s presentations aim to broaden the horizons of Gulf studies. Centered around “strategic autonomy,” our approach promises fresh insights into the multifaceted dynamics of Gulf defense, security, and geopolitics. Attendees can anticipate thought-provoking discussions on the implications of Gulf strategic autonomy for U.S. alliances, and discourse-enhancing conversations on the Gulf’s defense evolution and tech innovations.

In essence, by diving deep into the “great power competition” and “strategic autonomy” paradigms and their relevance to Gulf states’ strategic maneuvers in today’s global setup, we hope to attract comprehensive research that illuminates these intricate topics.

• What is the role and agency of local actors?
• Exploring Gulf states’ quest for strategic autonomy: balancing, bandwagoning, and hedging
• Normative preferences in Gulf foreign policy between convergence and divergence with existing frameworks
• Alignment dynamics in the Gulf and understanding U.S. allies and partners in an era of transition
• Domestic-level variables shaping Gulf foreign policy orientation
• Gulf’s vision for a new security order in minilateral initiatives and extra-regional powers
• Redefining the regional architecture through the Gulf’s ambitions and partnerships
• Competing views on the Gulf’s new security order
• Modernization of Gulf defense capabilities and the quest toward strategic autonomy
• Challenges and aspirations for strengthening domestic defense industries in the Gulf
• Gulf states as technology hubs: cybersecurity, AI, and space exploration
• Great power competition in Gulf’s technological, finance and private sector ambitions
• Role and impact of technological innovation and race on Gulf states partnerships and foreign relations

Click below to register and attend the workshop as a listening participant or to learn more about presenters and paper titles: