Persian Gulf and Pacific Asia: From Indifference to Interdependence

Review "A timely overview of the multifaceted, rapidly-developing interrelationships between the GCC states and South Korea, China, and Japan."--Kristian Ulrichsen, London School of Economics"The Persian Gulf and Pacific Asia is essential reading for academics and policy-makers seeking a better understanding of this rapidly evolving relationship, and of the foreign policies of the states in consideration. It also advances important questions regarding the effect of these dynamics on thegeopolitical landscape of the Middle East, external actors and the existing liberal international order."--International Affairs Product Description A plethora of economic, diplomatic, cultural, and other highly pragmatic linkages are making the "Asianisation" of Asia a reality. Davidson, demonstrates in this book how the powerful connections that are being forged by the very eastern and western extremities of the continent are poised tobecome a central pillar of this process. Most notably, an important new relationship is developing between the six monarchies of the Persian Gulf and the three most industrialised Asian economies. What began as a simple, twentieth century marriage of convenience based on hydrocarbon imports andexports has now evolved into a comprehensive, long-term mutual commitment that will not only continue to capitalise on the Persian Gulf's rich energy resources and Pacific Asia's massive energy needs, but will also seek to develop strong non-hydrocarbon bilateral trade, will facilitate sovereignwealth investments in both directions, and will provide lucrative opportunities for experienced Pacific Asian construction companies, and--in China's case--its vast labour force. About the Author Christopher Davidson is reader in Government and International Affairs at Durham University, a former visiting associate professor at Kyoto University, and a former assistant professor at Zayed University in the UAE. He is the author of several books on the politics and international affairs of theGulf states, including Abu Dhabi: Oil and Beyond, Dubai: The Vulnerability of Success, and most recently After the Sheikhs: The Coming Collapse of the Persian Gulf Monarchies.