A Comparative Study of the Factors Influencing the Formation of Regional and Trans-Regional Security Patterns in the Persian Gulf

Abstract

The Persian Gulf is regarded as one of the world's most strategically significant regions, having witnessed a diverse range of political, economic, and social events throughout history. Its strategic importance for global powers is amplified by its vast energy reserves, particularly oil. In recent years, the region has been plagued by tensions-inducing developments, encompassing a broad spectrum of actions such as the United States' imposition of oil sanctions on Iran since 2019, the creation of maritime insecurity for vessels and oil tankers, and the execution of Operation Azure Blue (the assassination of Qasem Soleimani), rendering the situation in the Persian Gulf increasingly volatile and fragile. This underscores the urgent need for establishing a sustainable security paradigm (either regional or trans-regional) in the Persian Gulf. The primary objective of this research is to examine, identify, analyze, and comparatively evaluate the internal, regional, and global factors that contribute to the establishment of a sustainable security pattern within the region under investigation. Consequently, the central research question guiding this inquiry is: "What factors, respectively, influence the formation or creation of a sustainable security pattern at the internal, regional, and international levels?" To answer this crucial question, the researcher meticulously gathers data and information through meticulous analysis of existing literature and documentation. This accumulated knowledge is then subjected to rigorous analysis employing a descriptive methodology and the conceptual framework of Barry Buzan's regional security complex. Drawing upon the findings gleaned from this comprehensive research, the following conclusions emerge: the type of political system adopted by the regional states, coupled with the challenge of legitimacy crises, stands as the most prominent internal factor impacting the formation of regional and trans-regional security patterns in the Persian Gulf. Distrust, the perception of a hypothetical enemy, and territorial disputes stand out as the most influential regional-level factors contributing to the formation of these patterns. Finally, energy emerges as the pivotal international factor shaping the region's security landscape. Informed by these compelling findings, we can reasonably argue that state actors, standing as the preeminent players within the regional and international political arenas, actively seek patterns that not only maximize benefits and gains but also minimize expenditure to the greatest extent possible. In light of this, it becomes apparent that fostering a security accord between Saudi Arabia and Iran likely holds the key to achieving the optimal balance of maximized benefits and reduced costs within the Persian Gulf region. Should this accord fail to materialize, an unsettling veil of uncertainty will likely continue to shroud the region's security outlook.