111 Introduction
The simple meaning of the security in the region is the integrity of the region from internal
and external threats, but this meaning differs in this region as the GCC states demonstrate
recourse to foreign great powers to ward-off internal and external threats. Furthermore, these
foreign great powers are amongst the threats in the Gulf region, which have tightened the grip
of these powers on the whole region (Suwaidi. and others 2008).
This chapter addresses five primary sections: the first main section of the chapter
relates to the end of the two superpowers equation with its implications in the Gulf. In
addition, the demise of the Soviet Union and its effect on the Gulf is explored specifically.
This section also includes an overview of the New World Order. Security in the Gulf reveals
links to the New World Order, and its sustainability and effectiveness in the 1990s. In that
time, the Gulf was affected by bipolarity, which is shown in the US policy of containment
applied against Iraq and Iran, confrontation with the Soviet Union, and other manifestations
of the superpower rivalry (Hubble 1998 p. 1-2). The second main section explores the Second
Gulf War in 1991, and the accompanying intervention and deployment of international forces
in the Gulf. It reflects upon the Arab reaction to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and the effect
of the Second Gulf War on Iraq. The third main section of this chapter addresses the
implications of the events of 9/11 on the Gulf, and discusses several related topics, such as
the sources of threats, whether internal or external, and the development of the sources of
threats with special regard to the war on terror, particularly in the Gulf. The fourth main
section discusses the invasion of Iraq and the use of force to protect US interests, which
involves a discussion of the US justifications of war, and the progress of the war. The fifth
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addresses the instability situation in the Gulf after the US invasion of Iraq, which provided a
new security environment that all the states in the region have had to deal with since 2003.
This chapter addresses and examines the international and regional events that have
affected security in the Gulf using the historical method and by employing a theoretical
framework based on the HST, as outlined in chapter one. The international power has a direct
impact on the security and the stability in the Gulf, which is necessary to study and analyse
the demise of bipolarity and the Soviet Union and all this led to the emergence of the new
world order in 1990. In addition, the HST is intensively employed in the following sections.
That the US and through its hegemony over the Gulf, particularly after the second Gulf War
in 1990 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003, acquired dominance and controlled the region to
play a substantial role in the conflicts of the region.
The demise of bipolarity and its implications internationally and in the Gulf
The role of the hegemonic state determined by factors of power of the state on the regional
and international levels (Pedersen 2002 p. 681). These factors are economic, political and
military, and if there is any change in these factors, the power of the state and its role will
change. This will affect its international and regional objectives and strategy. Whenever there
is any change in the capacity component of this force it will change depending on the size of
the power of the state and its role and effectiveness in influencing the events. Power relations
are clear in every society, as well as in the relations of states among themselves and each
other, every state has objectives and strategies which it seeks to achieve regionally and
internationally, and even internally. This requires the availability of certain elements of force,
so the state can achieve what it aspires to (Buzan and Waever 2003).
The different impacts of the international system on global stability created diverse
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seen as a unipolar system, which is much more likely to achieve international stability, where
the presence of one pole in the international system ensures stability, due to its dominant
force. Furthermore, (Wohlforth 1999 p. 23) pointed out that:
“Unipolarity favours the absence of war among the great powers and comparatively low levels of competition for prestige or security for two reasons: the leading state’s power advantage removes the problem of hegemonic rivalry from world politics, and it reduces the salience and stakes of balance-of-power politics among the major states. This argument is based on two well-known realist theories: hegemonic theory and balance-of-power theory. Each is controversial, and he relationship between the two is complex. For the purposes of this analysis, however, the key point is that both theories predict that a unipolar system will be peaceful”.
Another trend considers that a bipolar system provides global stability, because it is
characterised by the dominance of two superpowers. Thus, any change in the balance of
power from any power will not significantly affect the stability of the international system,
because each of these superpowers will develop their military capability to deal with changes
in the balance of power (Waltz 1964).
A third trend asserts that multi-polarity provides an environment for interaction
between countries, which helps them achieve their goals without resorting to war. In addition,
in a multi-polar system, neutral forces may play a role in resolving international conflicts.
Furthermore, the ability of small and medium-sized countries to have independent
movements in the international system increases whenever there is greater multiplicity of
poles (Rosecrance 1966). Indeed, whenever conflict increases between large countries
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the international system is. In contrast, polar unilateralism limits the ability of states to move
independently, as they are compelled to agree in policy with this single dominant pole (Scott
and et al 2009).
This is similar to the situation in the Gulf with the US position as the dominant power
and acting hegemonic state in this region. On the other hand, the Gulf states have to react to
the hegemony of the USA as the single dominant pole particularly in the Gulf (Senior official
interview No 3).