The Evolution of the Gulf: History and Theories Of a Complex Subregional System

This article assesses the international history of the Persian Gulf from the Cold War to the Post-Cold War system and explores the relationship between international-relations theories and historical dynamics in the Middle East, in particular the Gulf. It first identifies the theoretical approaches that have been applied or that have failed to be applied to the region’s changing geopolitics, then delves into Cold War and Post-Cold War history and its impact on the Middle East and the Gulf by examining the crucial changes to the Gulf security system sparked by developments in the 1970s, the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988, the Gulf War of 1990-1991, the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Arab Spring and its aftermath both at regional and sub-regional level.