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.

Table of Contents:
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 Yemen’s 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