The Foreign Policy of the United Arab Emirates

Hassan Hamdan al-Alkim was born in the UAE in 1958 and obtained a PhD in international relations at Exeter University. He is a professor of Political Science at the UAE University, and the author of numerous articles on world politics.

List of Tables
List of Figures and Maps
List of Abbreviations
A Note on Transliteration Acknowledgements
Foreword by Tim Niblock
Introduction

PART I: The Historical Background
1. The Underlying Histotical and Political Dynamics
Introduction
Prior to 1819
From 1819 to 1950
From 1950 to 1968
The British Decision to Withdraw
Reaction to the Withdrawal Decision
From 1968 to 1971
Ras al-Khaimah Joins the Federation
Factors Contributing to the Union
Conclusion

PART II: The Elements of Foreign Policy-Making
2. The Domestic Milieu: Political and Social Structures
Introduction
The Political System
The Political Structure
Strengthening the Federal System
The Social System
Social Stratification
Migrant Labour
Immigration Trends, 1980-83
Conclusion
3. The Domestic Milieu: Political Aggregation and its Consequences for UAE Foreign Policy
Introduction
The Dynamics of Political Aggregation
Unity versus Disunity
Dualism in Foreign Policy
Conclusion
4. The External Milieu
Introduction
The Regional Context
The Organizational Context
The Superpower Context

ri0Conclusion
5. The Decision-Making Apparatus
Introduction
The Foreign Policy-Making Apparatus
Conclusion

PART III: Three Case Studies
6. UAE-Saudi Arabia Relations, 1971-83
Introduction
Brief History, 1915-68
From 1968 to 1971
From 1971 to 1974
From 1974 to 1978
From 1979 to 1983
Conclusion
7. UAE-Iran Relations, 1971-83
Introduction
The Shah's Regime and the Gulf
Iran's Reaction to Britain's Withdrawal
Iran and the Proposed Federation
The Islands Crisis
The Development of Relations, 197178
The Islamic Republic of Iran and the UAE, 1979-83
The Revival of the Islands Question
The Impact of the Iraq-Iran War
The Impact of the Iranian Revolution
Conclusion
8. The UAE's Commitment to the Palestine Question, 1971-83
Introduction
Brief History, 1965-71
Factors Determining UAE Policy on Palestine
UAE-Arab Policy on the Palestine Question
UAE Attempts to Influence Other Governments
The UAE and the Palestinian Liberation Movements
Conclusion
General Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Appendices
I: Federation of Arab Emirates: Agreement of 27 February 1968II: Steps towards Co-operation between the Conservative Gulf States, 1973-81
Index