The 2010s were a decade of transformation and conflict in the Middle East, bookended by the Arab Uprisings and the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout this time, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar--the three Arab states with the most ambitious regional policies--declared stability to be their main objective. Yet, rather than being a common denominator, this seemingly shared goal in fact obscured differences between their often-competing agendas.These three Gulf monarchies all agreed that the Middle East had descended into unprecedented and dangerous instability following the Arab Uprisings. But their assessments diverged on what characterised and drove the unrest. This led each country to formulate different--and at times contradictory--views of how politics should be organised in and between states in the region, and what role external powers should play to build a stable new order.With no universally accepted definition of stability, this book develops an original analytical framework linking this concept to that of order, and provides a useful lens through which to understand foreign policy in the Gulf. While governments often frame their relations with other states by evoking a joint commitment to stability, Tobias Borck shows that this does not, in itself, imply strategic alignment.

This thesis studies the urban history of Mumbai from the perspective of popular Hindi films. The change of the name from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995 is symbolic of the transition of the colonial city from a centre of industrial capitalism to a neoliberal city, characterised by finance capital. It also signals the massive changes in the social and the political spheres of the city. Thomas Blom Hansen's Violence in Urban India starts its narrative of the city with a conversation that the author had on a suburban train, few weeks before the official rechristening. He asked an elderly gentleman about his reaction to the proposed change of the city's name from Bombay to Mumbai. While poring over an article in the English daily, Times of India, regarding the change of name of the city, the gentleman promptly answered: "its proper name is Bombay."

The 2010s were a decade of transformation and conflict in the Middle East, bookended by the Arab Uprisings and the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout this time, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar—the three Arab states with the most ambitious regional policies—declared stability to be their main objective. Yet, rather than being a common denominator, this seemingly shared goal in fact obscured differences between their often-competing agendas. These three Gulf monarchies all agreed that the Middle East had descended into unprecedented and dangerous instability following the Arab Uprisings. But their assessments diverged on what characterised and drove the unrest. This led each country to formulate different—and at times contradictory—views of how politics should be organised in and between states in the region, and what role external powers should play to build a stable new order. With no universally accepted definition of stability, this book develops an original analytical framework linking this concept to that of order, and provides a useful lens through which to understand foreign policy in the Gulf. While governments often frame their relations with other states by evoking a joint commitment to stability, Tobias Borck shows that this does not, in itself, imply strategic alignment.

The 2010s were a decade of transformation and conflict in the Middle East, bookended by the Arab Uprisings and the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout this time, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar--the three Arab states with the most ambitious regional policies--declared stability to be their main objective. Yet, rather than being a common denominator, this seemingly shared goal in fact obscured differences between their often-competing agendas. These three Gulf monarchies all agreed that the Middle East had descended into unprecedented and dangerous instability following the Arab Uprisings. But their assessments diverged on what characterized and drove the unrest. This led each country to formulate different--and at times contradictory--views of how politics should be organized in and between states in the region, and what role external powers should play to build a stable new order. With no universally accepted definition of stability, this book develops an original analytical framework linking this concept to that of order, and provides a useful lens through which to understand foreign policy in the Gulf. While governments often frame their relations with other states by evoking a joint commitment to stability, Tobias Borck shows that this does not, in itself, imply strategic alignment.

The research background of this book focuses on the historical evolution and strategic development of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) foreign policy from its formation to the present day. The research methodology proposed in this book includes a historical analysis of the UAE's foreign policy, examining key events and strategies that have shaped its current principles and goals. The task involves understanding the UAE's foreign policy evolution and its performance in maintaining regional stability, fostering economic growth, and enhancing diplomatic relations. The performance supports their goals by demonstrating the UAE's proactive and adaptive approach to international relations. Methods • Historical analysis of the formation of the UAE and its early diplomatic engagements; • Examination of the influence of Pan-Arabism and the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); • Analysis of the UAE's role in regional conflicts such as the Iran-Iraq War and the First Gulf War; • Evaluation of the impact of the Arab Spring on UAE foreign policy; • Assessment of the shift towards economic diversification and trade-based foreign policy. Conclusion: • The significance of this piece of work lies in its comprehensive overview of the UAE's foreign policy evolution, highlighting the country's strategic adaptability and commitment to stability and economic growth. • Innovation point: The study provides a detailed historical context and analysis of the UAE's foreign policy, emphasizing the importance of economic diversification and cultural diplomacy. • Performance: The UAE's proactive engagement in regional and global affairs demonstrates its effectiveness in achieving its foreign policy goals. • Workload: The book covers a broad range of historical events and policy shifts, providing a thorough understanding of the UAE's foreign policy development.

In 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, launching an economic blockade by land, air and sea. The self-proclaimed 'Anti-Terror Quartet' offered maximalist demands: thirteen 'conditions' recalling Austria-Hungary's 1914 ultimatum to Serbia. They may even have intended military action. Well into its second year, the standoff in the Gulf has no realistic end in sight. With the Bahraini and Emirati criminalisation of expressing support for Qatar, and the Saudi labelling of detainees as 'traitors' for their alleged Qatari links, bitterness has been stoked between deeply interconnected peoples. The adviser to the Saudi crown prince advocating a moat to physically separate Qatar from the Arabian Peninsula illustrates the ongoing intensity--and irrationality--of the crisis. Most reporting and analysis of these developments has focused on questions of regional geopolitics, and framed the standoff in terms of its impact on (largely) Western interests. Lost in this thicket of commentary is consideration of how the Qatari leadership and population have responded to the blockade. As the 2022 FIFA World Cup draws closer, the ongoing Qatar crisis becomes increasingly important to understand. Ulrichsen offers an authoritative study of this international standoff, from both sides.

Though the Arab Spring has reverberated through the Middle East, largely leaving a path of destruction, the relative calm in the United Arab Emirates has offered a regional roadmap for stability. Domestic changes since 2000 have significantly altered the country's dynamics, firmly cementing power within Abu Dhabi. While Khalifa bin Zayed succeeded his father as emir of Abu Dhabi and UAE president in 2004, the Emirates' evolution has largely been accredited to Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed. His reign has been characterized by the rise of the security apparatus and a micromanaged approach to governance. Mohammed bin Zayed's strategy of fortification has focused on pre-empting threats from the UAE's native population, rather than from expatriates or foreign actors. As a result, he has consolidated power, distributing its administration among his tribal and kinship allies. In essence, Mohammed bin Zayed has driven modernization in order to strengthen his grasp on power. This book explores Mohammed bin Zayed's regime security strategy, illustrating the network of alliances that seek to support his reign and that of his family. In an ever-turbulent region, the UAE remains critical to understanding the evolution of Middle Eastern authoritarian control.