Dynamics of Arab Foreign Policy-making in the Twenty-first Century: Domestic Constraints and External Challenges

(Hardback)

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The Arab world's strategic location and its considerable material and human potential should allow it to play a major role in world affairs. However, plagued by authoritarian regimes, ethnic and social cleavages, economic underdevelopment and military weakness, these states depend on the outside for security. In this balanced and discerning study, Hassan Hamdan al-Alkim examines the dynamics of Arab foreign-policy-making in the twenty-first century. He considers the significance of a changing world order, an unstable Arab regional order, and the Arab-Israeli conflict for Arab foreign policy-making processes. The book's four case studies - the Middle East Peace process, the Water crisis, the Food crisis, and Saudi Arabia's foreign policy - enable a wide-ranging analysis for understanding contemporary Arab politics and its role in world affairs.

Reviews

Endorsements: 'Even a reader who does not agree with all of Hassan Al-Alkim's conclusions will recognize this book as an authentic critique by a committed Arab intellectual not only of the weakness of Arab states in the regional and international realms but also of the authoritarian regimes that dominate most of the Arab world.' Gregory Gause III, Department of Political Science, University of Vermont 'Hassan al-Alkim has written a wide ranging and thought provoking account of the challenging issues facing foreign policy makers in the Arab world.' Peter Woodward, Professor Emeritus, University of Reading

Author Bio

Hassan Hamdan al-Alkim was born in the UAE in 1958. He earned his PhD in Political Science from Exeter University, UK. He is Professor of International Relations at the UAE University, and the General Director of the RAK Economic Development Department. He has written widely on the politics and economics of the Arab world. The author holds a BA in Political Science from Seattle University, USA, and an MA and PhD in Political Science from the University of Exeter, UK. He was a visiting research fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the Spring-Summer 1991, as part of the Fulbright Programme; at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS), University of London, UK, 1992-3, and at the University of Reading, UK, 2008-10. His website is www.hhalkim.ae. Author location UAE