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The Ascent of Saudi Arabia to a Regional Hegemon: The Role of Institutional Power in the League of Arab States

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  • Maximilian Felsch

Abstract

After the Arab upheavals that began in 2011, Saudi Arabia became the most dominant power in the Arab world. While most of its Arab rivals experienced political and economic crises and disintegration, the Gulf monarchy began an unprecedented active and even interventionist foreign policy and increased its regional influence tremendously. Remarkably, most of this activism was not exercised unilaterally but within regional institutional frameworks, mainly of the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This article investigates how Saudi Arabia gained institutional power within the LAS. The analysis is based on the LAS decisions at the Summit level before and after the Arab uprisings with regard to Saudi Arabia’s main foreign policy interests. The purpose of the article is to examine the essence of Saudi Arabia’s regional power. It also looks at the unforeseen revitalization of the LAS and allows predictions of the future of Arab regionalism in a changing Arab world.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximilian Felsch, 2020. "The Ascent of Saudi Arabia to a Regional Hegemon: The Role of Institutional Power in the League of Arab States," International Studies, , vol. 57(2), pages 132-143, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:intstu:v:57:y:2020:i:2:p:132-143
    DOI: 10.1177/0020881720911834
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barnett, Michael & Duvall, Raymond, 2005. "Power in International Politics," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 59(1), pages 39-75, January.
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