South Korea's Middle Power Diplomacy in the Middle East

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hae Won Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Middle Power

Middle Power Theory at the Regional Level

2020 ◽  
pp. 31-48
Author(s):  
May Darwich
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Power Theory ◽  
Middle Power ◽  
The Core ◽  
Regional Role ◽  
Regional System ◽  
Regional Leadership ◽  
Middle Powers ◽  
Important Stimulus

The Middle East has often been characterized as a regional system without a regional hegemon. Although several Arab and non-Arab states have aspired to regional hegemony over the decades, none have succeeded. Instead, the structure of the regional system has constituted an important stimulus for the emergence of regional middle powers. The traditional contenders for regional leadership at the core of the Arab system—Egypt, Syria, and Iraq—are further domestically weakened and unable to play a leading, let alone independent, regional role.

Middle Eastern Middle Powers

2020 ◽  
pp. 49-66
Author(s):  
Marco Pinfari
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Conflict Prevention ◽  
Middle Power ◽  
Middle Powers ◽  
International Behavior ◽  
Selection Of

This chapter analyzes a selection of mediation and conflict-prevention initiatives promoted by Middle Eastern middle powers since the 1980s. It begins by noting that behavioral approaches to middle power status consider systematic engagement in mediation and conflict prevention as one of the key traits of “middlepowerness,” and reflects on how the literature on middle power mediation and norm-based international behavior can be applied specifically to the Middle East. It then turns to the analysis of three case studies of norm-based mediation or conflict resolution initiatives promoted by three Middle Eastern middle powers—Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—since the 1980s.

Introduction

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Adham Saouli
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
International System ◽  
Middle Power ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
East Region ◽  
Regional Dynamics ◽  
Core Questions ◽  
Middle Powers ◽  
Middle East Region

The concept of and approaches to “middlepowerhood” have been key to explaining the identity, behavior, and foreign policy roles of many states (such as the United Kingdom, France, Australia, or Brazil) in the international system. However, with the exception of a few studies, this literature has failed to examine cases from the Middle East, despite the theoretical and empirical potential that regional dynamics offer for such an examination. Only a few studies have utilized the concept to understand or explain the behavior of regional actors. This volume addresses this major gap, by offering several contributions that interrogate the conceptual, theoretical and empirical underpinnings of the concept of “middle power” or “middlepowerhood” by examining several cases from the Middle East region. The volume raises several core questions. Namely, what is a middle power, and what does it mean to be a middle power in the Middle East? What drives middle power behavior? Is it the identity, material attributes or position of a state in regional and international orders? Should we focus on the behavior or attributes of states to determine whether they fit the category of middlepowerhood? Empirically, why do some regional actors aspire to be middle powers, while others refrain from doing so? What induces or constrains the behavior of middle powers?

Unfulfilled Aspirations

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
International System ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Empirical Potential ◽  
Middle Power ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Regional Dynamics ◽  
Middle Powers

The concepts and theories of what constitutes a 'Middle Power' have played a key part in explaining the identity, behavior and foreign policy roles of many states in the international system, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia and Brazil. But, with a few exceptions, these frameworks have failed to travel to scholarship on the Middle East, despite the theoretical and empirical potential that they offer for understanding regional dynamics. The first of its kind, this volume addresses that major gap by interrogating the conceptual, theoretical and empirical underpinnings of the concept of 'Middle Power' at a regional level. Composed of nine chapters, Unfulfilled Aspirations offers the conceptual and theoretical tools to examine 'Middle Powerhood' in the Middle East, as well as insightful empirical analyses of both 'traditional' Middle Powers in the region (Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Algeria) and new, aspiring ones (Qatar, the UAE). The contributors reveal that the Middle Powers of the Middle East have failed, despite their best efforts, to fulfil their regional aspirations.

Middling or Meddling?

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-30
Author(s):  
Adham Saouli
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Military Power ◽  
Real Power ◽  
Middle Power ◽  
Regional Influence ◽  
Middle Powers

The behavior of regional middle powers generates useful challenges to, and avenues for, developing conceptual and theoretical understandings of middle power behavior generally. Owing to its origins, the concept of “middle power” has hitherto demarcated states that are neither great nor weak in their size, economic capability and military power. However, an examination of Middle East regional rivalries questions this definition and reveals that regional influence can be exerted by actors that vary in size and capabilities. Additionally, I find that although some actors possess middle power attributes, they choose to refrain from transforming this potential into real power.

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