The Gulf States

History

Politics

Economy

Bahrain

The only island state

It became a British protectorate at the end of the nineteenth century before becoming independent in 1971

Described as a constitutional monarchy but the King has wide executive powers. He appoints the Prime Minister and his ministers. He also appoints the parliament‘s upper house and can dissolve its elected lower house. He also commands the the army and chairs the Higher Judicial Council!

Pop: 1.2m more than half of whom are non-nationals

The only post-oil economy in the Gulf. It ran out of oil in the 1970s.

Iran

Known as Persia until 1935

A long history of independence but following wars with Russia in the 19th century, Iran lost the Caucasus: Dagestan (now a part of the Russian Federation) Georgia, Armenia, and  Azerbaijan.

It nationalised its oil industry in 1951. An Anglo-American inspired coup in 1953 led to growing American influence until the Shah of Iran was overthrown in the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

An Islamic theocracy

There is a president and a legislature but real power lies with the spiritual leader, the Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Pop: 81m

It has extensive oil and gas reserves

Iraq

Once the ancient civilisation of Mesopotamia

Part of the Ottoman Empire since the first half of the 17th century, it was mandated to Britain by the LofN after WW1. It became independent in 1932 but Britain, which retained air bases, got involved in an attempted coup in 1941, supporting the government, lest Iraq sided with Germany in WW2. Britain occupied Iraq until 1947 and maintained military bases until 1954. Another coup in 1958 overthrew the monarchy and created a republic and there were further coups in 1963 and 1968, In 1979 Saddam Hussein became the country’s leader.

Military-led governments based on tribal lines

Pop: 37m

It has the world’s third biggest oil reserves

Kuwait

 In 1990, Kuwait was invaded, by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. An American-led coalition ended the occupation a year later. Kuwait has been a close American ally ever since. The American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 was launched from Kuwait.

The Emir is head of state and the government is appointed but there is an elected parliament that does have some power.

Pop: 4.2 m but only1.3 million are Kuwaitis 

Its economy is overwhelmingly based on oil

Oman

A Portuguese possession from 1507 until 1650 it has been largely independent since though relying on outside help (including British) on occasion.

The Sultan has absolute power but there is an elected Consultative Assembly.

Pop: 4.4m

Oil-dependent but only with modest reserves

Qatar

The state was founded in the early 19th century. It fell under Ottoman rule in 1871 before becoming a British protectorate in 1916 and gaining independence in 1971.

Qatar is an absolute monarchy with all political positions held by the ruling family. There is a Consultative Assembly but the Emir has the final say on everything.

Pop: 2.6 m of whom only 313,000 are Qatari citizens.

Oil and gas account for more than 70% of revenue.

Saudi Arabia

Home to the two holiest places in Islam in Mecca and in Medina.

The first Saudi state was established in 1744 but Ottoman rule was re-imposed. The British helped the Saudi rising against the Turks during WW1 but the Saudi Arabia as we know it was not finally created, and by the Saudi’s own efforts, in 1932.

An absolute monarchy though the king must comply with Sharia law

(Islamic law).

Pop: 33m

It has the world’s second-largest oil reserves and is the world’s biggest producer of petroleum and its biggest exporter. It also has the world’s sixth largest gas reserves.

United Arab Emirates

A British protectorate throughout the nineteenth century and into the twentieth century until it became independent in 1971.

A federation of seven emirates one of who serves as president. There is a National Council, half of which is indirectly elected, but it only has a consultative role.

Pop: 9.2m but only 1.4m are Emirati’s

Seventh largest oil reserves in the world and huge gas reserves too.