This book aims to be the key introductory volume for understanding the regional IOs of the Middle East. It assesses the reasons why IOs in the Middle East are so ill developed, explores their history, evolution and the successes and failures of each IO. It also analyses the reasons for the specific difficulties faced by each organisation through the context of intra-regional relations, before examining the impact of external factors such as: globalisation, moves towards global governance which have impacts in the Middle East and external influences from the great powers. Finally, it explores the likely impact of the Arab Spring upon the prospects for the further development of these regional International Organisations

Prologue

Introduction

1. Context and Framework

2. The Arab League, Structures and Evolution

3. The Arab League, Peace and Security

4. The Arab League, Economic, Social, and Cultural Co-operation

5. The Arab League, Problems and Prospects

6. The GCC, Structures and Evolution

7. The GCC, Security, Peace, and Defense

8. The GCC, Economic, Social, and Cultural Co-operation

9. The GCC, Problems and Prospects

10. The Arab-Maghreb Union

11. The Arab League and GCC in the Arab Spring

Conclusion

Select Bibliography

James Worrall is Associate Professor in International Relations and Middle East Studies, in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds, UK. His research interests lie in the broad fields of Security Studies and International Relations with a primary geographical focus on both the Gulf and the Levant. The thematic focus of his work explores Western relations with the Arab World, Gulf Politics and Security, Regional International Organizations, Counterinsurgency, Civil Wars, Post Conflict Reconstruction (especially Security Sector Reform), and Regime Stability and Legitimacy in non-democratic states. He has published widely on these themes in journals such as Third World Quarterly, Middle Eastern Studies, and Studies in Conflict & Terrorism. His previous volumes include: Statebuilding and Counterinsurgency in Oman: Political, Military and Diplomatic Relations at the End of Empire and (with Simon Mabon and Gordon Clubb) Hezbollah: From Islamic Resistance to Government.