This book examines some of the driving forces of change in the Middle East and aims to provide a regional outlook. The political and social events of the past years have significantly affected the regional structure across the Middle East, evident in socio-economic systems, security framework and the balance of power across the area. Each chapter focuses on one of the driving forces of change, including the Iran Nuclear Deal, the role of external powers, energy and its political and economic role in the region, the regional balance of power struggle amongst the key regional players and the socio-economic challenges across the region.

Analyzes the rapid shifts in economic and political power that have occurred in the Middle East Focuses on the implications of all this for 'international rentierism', or the use of oil resources to underpin international relations and attract security guarantees Questions whether China's interest in the Middle East's energy resources will lead to the country's direct political and economic involvement in the region

Autorentext

Sara Bazoobandi is Managing Director of Middle East Risk Consulting, Germany, and Non-Resident Fellow at Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, USA.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: The Middle East North Africa Socio-economic Challenges.- Chapter 2: GCC Oil Wealth: The Power and the People.- Chapter 3: The Realignment of Regional Politics and the Future of the Gulf Cooperation Council.- Chapter 4: Iran Nuclear Programme, A Brief History.- Chapter 5: The Role of External Powers: Global Actors (Part I).- Chapter 6: The Role of External Powers: Regional Actors (Part II).