Robert Mason is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

‘Though Saudi Arabia and the UAE are arguably now the most influential Arab states, their foreign policies and policymaking structures remain rather enigmatic. Conducting the most detailed investigation to date, Mason provides us with a substantive, well-researched analysis. Essential reading.’Christopher M. Davidson, author of From Sheikhs to Sultanism: Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE‘This is an engaging account of the shift in foreign policy and strategic thinking in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It places national imperatives at the heart of decision making and engagement with foreign powers. Mason bases his analysis on rich empirical data and offers new insights into foreign policy thinking on the United States and China against the backdrop of tension with Iran and expanding export markets in Asia. This book opens new avenues to explore and is a must read.’Shahram Akbarzadeh, Research Professor of Middle East and Central Asian Politics, Deakin University‘Robert Mason has done yeoman work in chronicling and analysing in great detail the twists and turns of contemporary Saudi and Emirati foreign policy. The book is an indispensable source for understanding the international politics of the Middle East.’F. Gregory Gause III, Professor, John H. Lindsey '44 Chair and Head of the International Affairs Department, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University'Anyone needing succinct, accessible introductions to the internal and external politics of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will find this book most useful.'Fred H. Lawson, The Middle East Journal, Volume 77, 3-4

• Introduction1 A theoretical and conceptual framework2 Politics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: state formation, political consolidation and reform 3 Politics in the United Arab Emirates: state consolidation, security and ambition4 Iran: a supreme ontological threat5 The Middle East: counter-revolutionaries united?6 United States: partisan politics, carte blanche and policy variation7 China's Belt and Road Initiative: bilateralism versus alliances 8 Relations with Europe: conditionality and unity9 Russia: arms, energy and ideology10 The Horn of Africa: security on the western flank11 India and Pakistan: shifting tides of interaction and dependency 12 Japan and the Republic of Korea: institutionalizing ties amid strategic uncertainty13 Indonesia and Malaysia: trans-nationalism and Islamic leadershipConclusionIndex

Robert Mason is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

‘Though Saudi Arabia and the UAE are arguably now the most influential Arab states, their foreign policies and policymaking structures remain rather enigmatic. Conducting the most detailed investigation to date, Mason provides us with a substantive, well-researched analysis. Essential reading.’Christopher M. Davidson, author of From Sheikhs to Sultanism: Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE‘This is an engaging account of the shift in foreign policy and strategic thinking in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It places national imperatives at the heart of decision making and engagement with foreign powers. Mason bases his analysis on rich empirical data and offers new insights into foreign policy thinking on the United States and China against the backdrop of tension with Iran and expanding export markets in Asia. This book opens new avenues to explore and is a must read.’Shahram Akbarzadeh, Research Professor of Middle East and Central Asian Politics, Deakin University‘Robert Mason has done yeoman work in chronicling and analysing in great detail the twists and turns of contemporary Saudi and Emirati foreign policy. The book is an indispensable source for understanding the international politics of the Middle East.’F. Gregory Gause III, Professor, John H. Lindsey '44 Chair and Head of the International Affairs Department, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University'Anyone needing succinct, accessible introductions to the internal and external politics of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will find this book most useful.'Fred H. Lawson, The Middle East Journal, Volume 77, 3-4

• Introduction1 A theoretical and conceptual framework2 Politics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: state formation, political consolidation and reform 3 Politics in the United Arab Emirates: state consolidation, security and ambition4 Iran: a supreme ontological threat5 The Middle East: counter-revolutionaries united?6 United States: partisan politics, carte blanche and policy variation7 China's Belt and Road Initiative: bilateralism versus alliances 8 Relations with Europe: conditionality and unity9 Russia: arms, energy and ideology10 The Horn of Africa: security on the western flank11 India and Pakistan: shifting tides of interaction and dependency 12 Japan and the Republic of Korea: institutionalizing ties amid strategic uncertainty13 Indonesia and Malaysia: trans-nationalism and Islamic leadershipConclusionIndex

Robert Mason is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

‘Though Saudi Arabia and the UAE are arguably now the most influential Arab states, their foreign policies and policymaking structures remain rather enigmatic. Conducting the most detailed investigation to date, Mason provides us with a substantive, well-researched analysis. Essential reading.’Christopher M. Davidson, author of From Sheikhs to Sultanism: Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE‘This is an engaging account of the shift in foreign policy and strategic thinking in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It places national imperatives at the heart of decision making and engagement with foreign powers. Mason bases his analysis on rich empirical data and offers new insights into foreign policy thinking on the United States and China against the backdrop of tension with Iran and expanding export markets in Asia. This book opens new avenues to explore and is a must read.’Shahram Akbarzadeh, Research Professor of Middle East and Central Asian Politics, Deakin University‘Robert Mason has done yeoman work in chronicling and analysing in great detail the twists and turns of contemporary Saudi and Emirati foreign policy. The book is an indispensable source for understanding the international politics of the Middle East.’F. Gregory Gause III, Professor, John H. Lindsey '44 Chair and Head of the International Affairs Department, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University'Anyone needing succinct, accessible introductions to the internal and external politics of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will find this book most useful.'Fred H. Lawson, The Middle East Journal, Volume 77, 3-4

• Introduction1 A theoretical and conceptual framework2 Politics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: state formation, political consolidation and reform 3 Politics in the United Arab Emirates: state consolidation, security and ambition4 Iran: a supreme ontological threat5 The Middle East: counter-revolutionaries united?6 United States: partisan politics, carte blanche and policy variation7 China's Belt and Road Initiative: bilateralism versus alliances 8 Relations with Europe: conditionality and unity9 Russia: arms, energy and ideology10 The Horn of Africa: security on the western flank11 India and Pakistan: shifting tides of interaction and dependency 12 Japan and the Republic of Korea: institutionalizing ties amid strategic uncertainty13 Indonesia and Malaysia: trans-nationalism and Islamic leadershipConclusionIndex