Weak states and systemic pressure: The Saudi-Iranian struggle for power and influence in the Middle Eastern regional system
[Thesis]
Eyad Saeed Alrefai
Baldi, Gregory
Western Illinois University
2016
108
Committee members: Albarracin, Julia; Auger, Vincent
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-369-08647-8
M.A.
Political Science
Western Illinois University
2016
The thesis studies the regional struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Middle Eastern regional system. It provides historical background to the region to explain the Middle East as a connected region. As it discusses historical characteristics of Saudi Arabia and Iran to understand both countries' motives and interests. The thesis explains how domestic weaknesses in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria has opened new battlefields for regional hegemons. It does so by reflecting on hard and soft powers, as well as, by understanding the national history of each studied case.
Middle Eastern Studies; International Relations; Political science