Four days ago US Navy Vice Admiral Miller met with the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum to discuss security concerns in the Gulf. The meeting also symbolized the continuation of cooperation between the UAE and the US Navy. After reading chapter about security issues in Louise Fawcett's "International Relations of the Middle East" I found this article to show something that was not covered in her book. She explains that defense spending in the Gulf has rapidly increased in recent years. For the UAE it was $2.65 billion in 2006 according to the International Institute of Strategic Studies (Fawcett 66) . Fawcett blames the increased militarization and spending on the Arab-Israeli conflict. She believes it has lead to "the rise of the so-called national security state" (Fawcett 66). However, I do not think increased spending in the Gulf region has the strong relationship to the Arab-Israeli conflict she claims I believe increased military spending relates to the international relations of the Gulf States and the overshadowing US-Iran rivalry.
The countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have historically relied on the UK and the USA to ensure stability in the region. Three major events, the Iran-Iraq war, the First Gulf War, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, reinforced the role the United States plays in the regional balance of power. Currently the US Navy's Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain while Kuwait hosts long term bases for US troops. The UAE also plays a minor role by having the only harbor deep enough for an air craft carrier. Without a doubt the US Navy is the largest and most potent force in the Gulf. Iran is the only country that can counter the US and the GCC forces. Although the US-Iran rivalry overshadows the balance of power in the Gulf there is a smaller dimension to it. Each Gulf State competes against itself, one way is through developing military power. The overshadowing rivalry provides the means to increase military spending.
With Iraq now out of the balance of power a vacuum has been created and filled temporarily by the US, the GCC countries and Iran. Qatar, Oman, and the fledgling government in Iraq all have ties to Iran. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE maintain a close relationship with the US. The GCC states are trying to maintain the balance of power under the US-Iran power play for influence in the Gulf. Take for example Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both have significantly increased military spending in the past ten years. Between them Qatar and Saudi Arabia have had a lukewarm relationship due to the overthrow of the Qatari monarchy in 1995 and the broadcasting of uncensored stories about Saudi Arabia from al-Jazeera (Foley). Overarching their own rivalry is the US and Iran. Saudi Arabia is the premier oil exporter and is allied with the United States. Qatar has a quickly developing and lucrative liquid natural gas field but shares that field and diplomatic relations with Iran. Qatar's al-Udaid Airbase was a key base for the US in the 2003 invasion of Iraq (Foley 138). Another example that uses the US-Iran rivalry to its advantage is Bahrain. Bahrain is ruled by a monarchy that represents the minority Sunni Muslim population while the majority are Shi'a. The ruling family of Bahrain have maintained strong ties with the US and Saudi Arabia to counter the influence of Iran and to maintain their own power. The US uses Bahrain as an outlet for arms sales and as a home station for the Fifth Fleet while Saudi Arabia backs the royal family. Iran tries countering the US and Saudi influence by creating unrest among the majority Shia.
Government defense budgets have risen because of the US-Iran rivalry and its intensification in the past decade. Also, the Arab Spring and the spread of revolutions in the past year and a half have threatened the governments of the Gulf and have lead them to increase control over their countries. Israel currently does not play a main role in the international politics of the Gulf. The threat of instability from US-Iran rivalry and the Arab spring revolutions have made defense budgets increase as newer technology is needed to keep stability within and around the GCC countries.
Fawcett, Louis. International Relations of the Middle East. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press , 2009. 66. Print.
Foley, Sean. The Arab Gulf States: Beyond Islam and Oil. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2010. 138. Print.
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