AN EXAMINATION OF KUWAITI MEDIATION IN THE GULF CRISIS

Abstract

This study examines the role of Kuwait as a mediator in the 2017-2021 Gulf crisis. In so doing, the study explores Kuwait's motivations for undertaking the mediator role, the reasons for the conflicting parties' acceptance of Kuwait as a mediator and finally, analyses how Kuwait mediated between the parties. The research was based on mixed methodology, semi-structured interviews and media analyses based on Search Engine Optimization. The study argues that the small state policies of Kuwait and calculations of the disputants over small state theory are critical elements of the nomination of the mediator and the process of the mediation. The research concludes that Kuwait mediates through strategies parallel to the balance of power and soft power concepts. The study argues that Kuwait uses mediation as a soft power to become an important regional actor. The disputants accepted Kuwaiti mediation in two aspects; the first was to maintain their own small state policies (especially Qatar). The second is that Kuwait's smallness led them to approve the mediation to have flexibility in the crisis (especially blockading side). The research claims that Kuwait was more than a host in the solution of the crisis. Yet, the fact that Kuwait's lack of power to impose decisions makes the state not use any directive strategies in the mediation. The research denotes the Kuwaiti mediation in the Gulf crisis fits on formulation type of the mediation.