The Gulf States and the Horn of Africa takes a deep dive into the complexities of power projection, political rivalry and conflict across the Red Sea and beyond. Focusing on the nature of interregional connections between the Gulf and the Horn, it explores the multifaceted nature of relations between states and the two increasingly important subregions. Bringing together scholars working on and in both regions, the book considers strategic competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and between the UAE and both Qatar and Turkey, along with other international engagement such as joint anti-piracy operations, counterterrorism cooperation, security assistance, base agreements and economic development.

Drawing on a range of subject expertise and field research across case study countries, the volume adds to the sparse literature on the regional and international politics of the Horn of Africa and Red Sea, gleaning specific insights from contemporary reflections across the book. This is essential reading for students and researchers interested in the Horn of Africa and the evolving regional geopolitics of the Gulf.

Robert Mason is a Fellow at The Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) project and Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

Simon Mabon is Director of SEPAD and Professor of International Politics at Lancaster University

Introduction Robert Mason

Part I: The view from the Gulf
1 Patterns of External Involvement in the Modern Political History of the Horn of Africa States Brendon J. Cannon and Ash Rossiter
2 Pushing the Envelope of National Security and State Influence at the Margins: Saudi and Iranian Competition in the Horn of Africa Robert Mason
3 Iran's Foreign Policy and Developmental Activities in Africa: Between Expansionist Ambitions and Hegemonic Constraints Eric Lob
4 Extended States: The Politics and Purpose of UAE Economic Statecraft in the Horn of Africa Karen E. Young and Taimur Khan
5 The Turkey-Qatar Alliance: Through the Gulf and Into the Horn of Africa Marwa Maziad
6 Inter-Regional Embedded Security Model: Turkish and Emirati Engagement in the Horn of Africa Umer Karim
7 Strategic Geography in Jeopardy: Qatar-Gulf Crisis and the Horn of Africa Abdinor Dahir
8 Kuwait's Foreign Relations with East Africa Mara Leichtman

Part II: The view from the Horn of Africa
9 Djibouti: Bridging the Gulf of Aden? Balancing Ports, Patronage and Military Bases between Yemens War and the Horn David Styan
10 Engaging Foreign Powers for Regime Survival: The Relative Autonomy of Coastal Horn of Africa States in their Relations with Gulf Countries Aleksi Ylönen
11 Sudan's Foreign Policy Predicament in the Context of the GCC Diplomatic Rift Mohammed Sharfi

Conclusion Simon Mabon

Index