The Arab Gulf States in Transition: Power Centralization, Economic Transformation, and Neo-Nationalism

The Arab Gulf States survived through the Arab Spring, but they still have faced a series of challenges in recent years: the Yemen war, the Qatar diplomatic crisis, the game of thrones, the shale gas revolution, the rivalry of great powers, and the emergence of a young generation. Along with all these factors, there’s a trend of new nationalism springing across this region. The power of Gulf Arab states is transferring from experienced older princes to the hands of a determined young generation, which may shape the future of these states for decades. At the same time, all of these states are launching their national economic projects, such like UAE Vision 2021, Saudi Vision 2030, Oman Vision 2040, etc. The new leadership, ambitious economic projects, and rapidly growing population under stalled globalization bred neo-nationalism in the Gulf region. What are the driving forces behind their transition, how do the Gulf states transform, and what are the potential impacts? These are the questions this paper tries to answer.