Saudi-Iranian Entanglements in the Persian Gulf: Is Rapprochement Possible?

Abstract

The Persian Gulf retains the characteristics of a distinctive and critical region in the Middle East owing to a variety of economic, strategic, political and security reasons. This article will examine the troubled relationship between the two important powers of the Persian Gulf, Iran and Saudi Arabia, through the utilization of regional security complex theory developed by Barry Buzan and Ole Waever. The study, while focusing on competition between the two states in three main dimensions namely ideology, regional primacy and security will also explore the likelihood of a rapprochement between them which is deemed crucial for the establishment of enduring peace, order and stability in the Middle East