Red Sea security as Gulf security: building a new regional order in the Red Sea

Abstract

During the past few years, the Red Sea has attracted increased attention from both scholars and policymakers due to several events of regional importance. However, this novelty approach neglects a long and deep history of relations between both shores. Nowadays these security interdependencies are more visible than ever, manifested in a myriad of ways that include traditional economic cooperation and investment, humanitarian aid, diplomatic relations, cooperation against piracy and terrorism, but also interference in domestic politics, arms trade, and regional projects. This paper contends that Gulf security cannot anymore be understood as separate from Red Sea security. This fact is proven not only for the growing linkages mentioned above but also for its recognition of the actors belonging to this so-called Red Sea region, which through their security practices have developed a common security space spanning both shores. The paper will follow a theoretical approach based on constructivist and post-structuralist regional theories, including theories of regional security, applied to the Red Sea region. Then it will seek to understand how different Gulf countries are incorporating this area into their national security realm by delineating different projects for a Red Sea regional order.