9/11 and American Democracy Promotion in the Arab Gulf States: Strategic Frameworks and Diplomatic Initiatives

Abstract

Focusing on American efforts to implement the Freedom Agenda in the Arab Gulf States, the objective of this study is to explore how democracy promoting states and societies strategize in particular cases and how do such nations harness diplomatic resources to push the democratic reforms. Following the events of 9/11, American attention increasingly shifted towards the Middle East and its efforts to promote democratic governance. The investigation is grounded in both primary and secondary source materials. The Bush Administration employed four distinct institutional frameworks for promoting the democratic reforms in the Gulf states: (a) governmental departments; (b) American private organisations; (c) international organisations; and (d) regional organisations originating from the Arab Gulf states. In order for the Gulf states to have constitutional monarchy in the near future, it is crucial to strengthen the constitutions.