The strategic and international studies program analyzes the latest developments in the fields of security studies, military studies, international relations and crisis management, related to the Arabian Gulf and Middle East.
Strategic & International
Strategic & International Studies
Differing Prespectives on the Naming of the Arabian Gulf
The Iranian official position intermittently triggers a controversy in the media about the name of the “Arabian Gulf”. The issue is not confined to insisting on marking the Gulf as Persian, but goes beyond the name to include nationalist dimensions and political implications centered on the pursuit of regional hegemony.
Iranian- Gulf Strained Relations: Causes, Consequences and Means of Confrontation
The Gulf-Iranian relation was and still is the most controversial issue. This controversy intensified after signing the Nuclear deal between Iran and western countries on the 14th of July 2015.
Iran’s Policies Towards the GCC Countries After the the Nuclear Deal: Contents and Regional Implications
Despite that signing the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program between Iran and the G-5 countries +1 on the fourteenth of July 2015 was expected, as there were many indications especially from the United States to ensure the signing of that agreement, it has sparked a lot of controversy not because of its content but given its timing and the GCC states views towards it.
National and Regional Security for the GCC States – a Vision From Within – Present Challenges and Future Strategies
This publication contains papers and discussions arising from a conference held by Derasat entitled, ‘National and Regional Security for the GCC States – A Vision from Within – Present Challenges and Future Strategies’ held April 23rd – 24th 2014.
National and Regional Security for the GCC States – a Vision From Within – Present Challenges and Future Strategies
This publication contains papers and discussions arising from a conference held by Derasat...
Developments of Gulf Regional Security in 2014
The Arab World has been undergoing strategic transformations since 2011. Such changes allowed the GCC states to play a major regional role towards certain crises. However, they have concurrently placed an intricately complex regional environment before the GCC states to deal with, particularly in 2014...
Gulf-Iranian Relations: Facts & Future Perspectives
The current world equilibrium is undergoing profound and historical changes that could lead to unexpected outcomes in the strategic international balance of powers. This is obvious in the economic structural problems facing the United States and Europe and their impact on foreign policy, as in the case of the United States changing its defense policy over the next ten years.
The Fraying of the International Alliance System
When it comes to the Middle East, a former boss of mine once told me “conspiracy theories, are a regional sport”. This to be fair, is still true today, although it has become increasingly hard to counter the tall tales pushed by these enthusiastic theorists.
Casus Belli
After five years of continuously worsening conflict in Syria, the chances of any decisive outcome are bleak at best. The superpowers and their allies continue to dither at the negotiating table, exacerbating the conflict and the misery of millions of Syrians.
Indian and GCC Perspectives: Iran, India, and the GCC
India has strong economic and cultural ties to the West Asia region, including both the GCC countries and Iran. A series of important events, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the Iranian nuclear deal, are contributing to a new balance of power in the region.
Iran’s Threat to Block Hormuz: a Game Theory Analysis
Game theory was developed in the wake of World War 2 to assist policymakers in analysing interdependent decision-making, which arises when what you want to do depends upon what others want to do, most notably in situations relating to conflict over resources – the alternative is decision theory, where your decision is...
China’s Strategy Toward Iran and the GCC States: the Challenge of Balancing Interests and Principles
China’s Strategy Toward the GCC States: The Challenge of Balancing Interests and Principles
Gulf-russian Oil Relations: Past and Future
This report looks at the prospects for Gulf-Russian oil and non-oil cooperation, in light of the latest economic and geo-strategic developments that are affecting oil markets.