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Great Powers, the Persian Gulf, and Global Oil: a Comparative Analysis Katerina Oskarsson Old Dominion University

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Great Powers, the Persian Gulf, and Global Oil: a Comparative Analysis Katerina Oskarsson Old Dominion University Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Graduate Program in International Studies Dissertations Winter 2014 Great Powers, the Persian Gulf, and Global Oil: A Comparative Analysis Katerina Oskarsson Old Dominion University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gpis_etds Part of the International Economics Commons, International Relations Commons, and the Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons Recommended Citation Oskarsson, Katerina. "Great Powers, the Persian Gulf, and Global Oil: A Comparative Analysis" (2014). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), dissertation, International Studies, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/s8pn-dk77 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gpis_etds/79 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Program in International Studies at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GREAT POWERS, THE PERSIAN GULF, AND GLOBAL OIL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS by Katerina Oskarsson B.A. May 2011, Old Dominion University M.A. August 2011, Old Dominion University A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY December 2014 Approved by: Steve A. Yeti\*\Director) Francis Adams (Member) Kevin L. Rosner (Member) ABSTRACT GREAT POWERS, THE PERSIAN GULF, AND GLOBAL OIL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Katerina Oskarsson Old Dominion University, 2014 Director: Dr. Steve Yetiv Using original data, this study explores the changing capabilities of the United States, China, and Russia in the conflict-ridden Persian Gulf since 1980. It reveals what such shifts mean for American hegemony, the international distribution of capabilities in the region, relations among the great powers, and global oil security. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I thank my dissertation committee. Dr. Steve Yetiv, my dissertation Chair, for all his guidance, and constructive comments throughout this project. I am also grateful to Dr. Francis Adams and Dr. Kevin Rosner for serving on my committee and for providing me with insightful comments. Special thanks to Dr. Regina Karp, Director of Graduate Program in International Studies, and the rest of the GPIS faculty for intellectual support and financial assistance which enabled me to finish this project in a reasonable timeframe. I am also indebted to my family and friends for their support, especially my husband, Niklas Oskarsson, Jennifer Cunningham, Stephanie Riggs, Lauren McKee, Wiebke Lamer, Sara Hoff, Martina Semeradova, Christina and Tim Slentz. Thank you all. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................. vii LIST OF FIGURES.............................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 1 Why Regions Matter .............................................................................................................2 Power Dynamics and Oil Security .......................................................................................5 Definitions and Research Design .........................................................................................8 Contribution to the Literature ............................................................................................. 12 Findings of the Dissertation ............................................................................................... 14 Dissertation Roadmap .........................................................................................................18 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................19 2. THE UNITED STATES IN THE PERSIAN GULF.......................................................20 The Argument of this Chapter ............................................................................................23 America’s Evolving Position in the Persian G ulf ............................................................ 24 U.S. Diplomatic Position in the Persian G ulf ...................................................................24 U.S.-Saudi Diplomatic Relations ................................................................................... 25 U.S.-Iran Diplomatic Relations ..................................................................................... 39 U.S.-Iraqi Diplomatic Relations .................................................................................... 43 U.S. Military Capabilities in the Persian G ulf ................................................................. 47 Saudi-U.S. Security Relations ........................................................................................51 Bahrain-U.S. Security Relations .................................................................................... 57 Kuwait-U.S. Security Relations ......................................................................................61 Qatar-U.S. Security Relations ........................................................................................64 UAE-U.S. Security Relations .........................................................................................65 Oman-U.S. Security Relations ........................................................................................66 U.S.-GCC Security Framework ......................................................................................67 Iraq-U.S. Security Relations ...........................................................................................73 Arms Sales....................................................................................................................... 76 U.S. Economic Capabilities in the Persian G ulf .............................................................. 83 U.S.-Saudi Economic Relations .................................................................................... 86 U.S. -GCC Economic Relations .................................................................................... 90 U.S.-Iraqi Economic Relations .......................................................................................93 Energy Relations .................................................................................................................94 U.S.-Saudi Energy Relations ..........................................................................................97 U.S.-Small GCCs Energy Relations ............................................................................ 100 U.S.-Iraqi Energy Relations .......................................................................................... 101 vi Chapter Page Conclusion ..........................................................................................................................104 3. CHINA’S EVOLVING ROLE IN THE PERSIAN GULF...........................................109 China’s Shifting Mix of Motivations .............................................................................. 110 Areas of Chinese Involvement ......................................................................................... 113 Diplomatic Interaction .......................................................................................................114 Sino-Saudi Diplomatic Relations .................................................................................115 Sino-Iranian Diplomatic Relations ...............................................................................119 Sino-Iraqi Diplomatic Relations ...................................................................................122 Sino-Small GCCs Diplomatic Relations ..................................................................... 125 China’s Economic Capabilities in the Persian Gulf ....................................................... 131 Sino-Saudi Economic and Energy Relations ...............................................................134 Sino-Iraqi Economic and Energy Relations ................................................................143 Sino-Small GCCs Economic and Energy Relations ................................................... 150 Sino-Iranian Economic and Energy Relations .............................................................152 Arms Sales..........................................................................................................................157 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................................160 4. RUSSIA IN THE PERSIAN GULF................................................................................163 The Argument of this Chapter .......................................................................................... 163 Russia’s Shifting Mix of Motivations ..............................................................................164 Russia’s Evolving Position in the Persian G ulf ..............................................................167 Diplomatic Relations .........................................................................................................167
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