Smaller Gulf states and competing geopolitical scripts in the Indo-Pacific

Abstract

Given the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region, great powers constructed various geopolitical scripts to shape regional dynamics. The perspective of smaller stakeholders, like the smaller Persian Gulf monarchies (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), is often neglected or simplified, despite the particular perspectives they have concerning the region. Bridging this gap, the article aims to interpret how smaller Gulf states view the growing competition in the Indo-Pacific region between the two major geopolitical scripts put forward by great powers, namely the Belt and Road Initiative and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept. Analysing the two scripts from the perspective of smaller Gulf states, the article argues that their primary interests include the maximization of their pivotal power which necessitates the prioritization of maritime security and development at the same time and parallel engagement with different bilateral, minilateral, and multilateral cooperation formats.