Qatar and the UAE: Small State Aspirations to Middle Powerhood

Open to the Public

A seminar with Robert Mason, Associate Professor of Middle East Studies and Director, Middle East Studies Center, American University in Cairo.

Date: Fri, Sep 8, 2017 Time: 12:00pm - 01:30pm Location: Littauer Building - Fainsod Room, 324

Clockwise from left, Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, meeting in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 5, 2017.

About

A seminar with Robert Mason, Associate Professor of Middle East Studies and Director, Middle East Studies Center, American University in Cairo.

Talk Abstract

The recent Gulf-Qatar crisis has underscored the perils associated with small state foreign policy assertiveness, over-reach and encroachment on other's spheres of interest. This talk summarizes the key features of Qatari and Emirati foreign policy and their respective successes and failures at enhancing, projecting and sustaining influence. It concludes with assertions on under what conditions a small state can elevate itself to a 'tipping point' of middle powerhood.