Foreign Policy Activism in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Diverging Narratives and Stances towards the Syrian and Yemeni Conflicts. Issue 2 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colombo, Silvia
• Is Part Of: International spectator. Volume 52:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Saudi Arabia -- Oman -- omnibalancing -- swing states -- Middle Eastern conflicts -- GCC; World politics -- 1945-1989 -- Periodicals; World politics -- 1989- -- Periodicals; 909.8305
• DOI: 10.1080/03932729.2017.1303965
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0393-2729

Abstract

Abstract: Amid growing animosity and security concerns in the Middle East, the Gulf region appears to be on the way to becoming the new centre of gravity of regional equilibria. The increasingly active foreign policy postures of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is a key aspect of the new regional order in the making. Saudi Arabia and Oman are two examples of this trend. Their involvement in the Syrian and Yemeni conflicts reveals important differences regarding the aims, narratives, political and military postures, strategies and alliances pursued by Riyadh and Muscat and casts a shadow over the future of GCC cooperation and integration.