Systemic Change and Regional Orders: Asian Responses to a Gulf in Transition

Jonathan Fulton, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Spectator

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

The Persian Gulf regional security complex is shaped by intense competition between regional states and, since the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm, US military preponderance. US security cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council member states has sustained a status quo that has allowed extra-regional countries to advance their interests without making significant contributions to regional stability. An examination of the presence of five Asian countries (China, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea) in the Gulf suggests that, as the US signals intentions to reduce its security commitments to the region, the perception of hegemonic retreat will influence the regional policies adopted by these Asian countries. A further and related consideration is the ‘great-power competition’ narrative that is driving politics at the systemic level. The US-China bilateral relationship will have a significant impact on extra-regional powers’ approach to the Gulf.

ISSN

0393-2729

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Asianisation, great-power competition, Persian Gulf, regional security complex

Scopus ID

85135472484

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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