The New Regional Order in the Middle East

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. The Middle East North Africa Socio-economic Challenges

   • Sara Bazoobandi

   Pages 1-25

3. GCC Oil Wealth: The Power and the People

   • Sara Bazoobandi, Rhiannon Alexander

   Pages 27-48

4. The Realignment of Regional Politics and the Future of the Gulf Cooperation Council

   • Kristian Coates Ulrichsen

   Pages 49-68

5. Iran Nuclear Programme, a Brief History

   • Sara Bazoobandi

   Pages 69-91

6. The Role of External Powers: Global Actors (Part I)

   • Neil Quilliam

   Pages 93-118

7. The Role of External Powers: Regional Actors (Part II)

   • Neil Quilliam

   Pages 119-141

This book examines some of the driving forces of change in the Middle East and aims to provide a regional outlook. The political and social events of the past years have significantly affected the regional structure across the Middle East, evident in socio-economic systems, security framework and the balance of power across the area. Each chapter focuses on one of the driving forces of change, including the Iran Nuclear Deal, the role of external powers, energy and its political and economic role in the region, the regional balance of power struggle amongst the key regional players and the socio-economic challenges across the region. 

• Rentierism
• Middle East
• Gulf Cooperation Council
• international relations
• oil resources
• energy
• energy dependence
• China

“It may be impossible to grasp the full picture of what is happening in the Middle East today, but it is nonetheless essential to try. This book comes closer than any other currently on the market to achieving that objective. Binding together the diverse crises present in faulty governance, inadequate youth participation, absence of genuine women's empowerment, social inequality, water scarcity, failure to resolve nuclear issues, instabilities resulting from regional and global re-alignment, and many others, the book reveals the most critical need of all: to create a regional order conducive to effective social, economic and political change.” (Tim Niblock, Emeritus Professor of Middle East Politics, University of Exeter, UK)

“This is an exemplary volume that highlights the economic, societal and political challenges facing Middle Eastern and in particular Gulf countries. The wealth of data, analytical accuracy and the clear, direct prose make it a worthwhile read for academics and practitioners alike. This is a clear, well researched volume that belongs on the shelf of everyone interested in the contemporary Middle East.” (Matteo Legrenzi, Associate Professor, Dept. of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy)

• Middle East Risk Consulting, Hamburg, Germany

  Sara Bazoobandi

Sara Bazoobandi is Managing Director of Middle East Risk Consulting, Germany, and Non-Resident Fellow at Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, USA.

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