Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Arabian/Persian Gulf'

This thesis assesses the Gulf states’ perceptions towards US hegemony security in the Persian/Arabian Gulf. A number of questions are asked regarding security and stability in the Gulf, the tools, means and objectives of the USA in the region, regional powers and their role in achieving stability in the Gulf. Special references is given to the perspectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Iraq and Iran regarding regional security, stability, the role of US hegemony, and their roles in building a new security system in the region. Moreover questions addressed include the occupation of Iraq by the USA and how it has impacted the Gulf region and the capabilities of the Gulf states to build a regional security system independent of US protection. The aim of this study is to provide a conceptual foundation for a discussion about the future shape of security and stability arrangements in the Gulf. Secondly, this research aims to analyse the role of the USA in the regional security complex, its key interests in the region, and its means to achieving its objectives there. Finally, this thesis examines the perceptions of the GCC states, Iraq and Iran toward the role of the USA and its hegemony in the Gulf. Furthermore, this research project also aims to study the failure of the region's states to develop a regional security regime and their perceptions of this failure. The Persian/Arabian Gulf is a strategic economic, political and military region that has increased its vital significance to neighbouring regions and the world as a whole in the past two decades or more. In particular its important position as a source of gas and oil for the global energy market has caused this region to be of interest to state and non-state actors around the world, and arguably has made the region more unstable. The hypothesis tested in this work is, that consider the importance of the Gulf states perception of the security and stability and the US hegemony and its role, as the only possible way to stabilize the region. as well as considering the Gulf states perception of protect themselves and build their own regional security system. That the USA has succeeded to a great extent in controlling and exercising hegemony over the Persian/Arabian Gulf region in a way compatible with its interests and objectives, which are: primarily, guaranteeing the flow of oil and gas, protecting current regimes in the GCC and guaranteeing the security and supremacy of Israel. The originality of this thesis in part lies in focus on the Gulf states’ perceptions of US hegemony in the Gulf and its impact on security there., By employing a constructivist approach and combining it with a theory of Hegemonic Stability, an alternative understanding of the capabilities of the USA as hegemonic state in the Gulf is developed to examine its ability to control and gain support from states in the Gulf.

Thesis (M.A. in Securities Studies (Middle East, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa))--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2010.
Thesis Advisor(s): Looney, Robert ; Second Reader: Kadhim, Abbas. "June 2010." Description based on title screen as viewed on July 14, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Qatar, United Arab Emirates, UAE, branch campus, higher education, Arabian Gulf Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-121). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Middle East, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa))--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2010.
Thesis Advisor(s): Looney, Robert. Second Reader: Kadhim, Abbas. "June 2010." Description based on title screen as viewed on July 9, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Qatar, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Branch Campus, Higher Education, Arabian Gulf. Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-121). Also available in print.

This study investigates whether the remedial tertiary-level EFL classes in the Arabian Gulf States optimize the process of acquiring English for the majority of the students, namely the graduates of government high schools. I have endeavoured to uncover, by reference to my three years as an EFL teacher in the Gulf and the pertinent literature, why so much time and effort invested by myself and my students resulted in such a disproportionate lack of progress in reading and writing. I show how three major factors (diglossia, a linguistic trichotomy, and low literacy levels) conspire to impede students from learning to read and write in English through second language methodology and compare this situation to the one in Quebec. I conclude with two suggestions to make tertiary-level EFL classes more efficient and effective: the use of more familiar methodology and the teaching of reading and writing through a literacy framework. I also propose some longer-term solutions to deal with the linguistic trichotomy, a problem the Gulf Arabian States may wish to address if they intend to pursue the goal of providing a world-class education to their children.

The Arabian/Persian Gulf ('the Gulf') is a small semi-enclosed sea surrounded by eight States, namely Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The Gulf has long been an area of strategic and economic importance, rich in subsea hydrocarbon resources. Following a general introduction to the international law of the sea, this study analyses two forms of Gulf State practice; firstly, national legislation to date dealing with maritime limits and delimitation and secondly, the bilateral continental shelf agreements between the Gulf States, the majority of which delimit the continental shelf boundary between them. This analysis then assesses such state practice in the light of international law, with a particular focus on continental shelf delimitation. In so doing, this study places Gulf State practice in the context of the Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf 1958, the Geneva Convention on the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone 1958 and the Law of the Sea Convention 1982, as well as customary international law and international case law. This study reaches a number of conclusions in respect of delimitation in the Gulf more generally, but mainly in respect of continental shelf boundary delimitation in the Gulf, and how this compares with the international law of the sea. It notes the early references in Gulf legislation to delimitation on the basis of equitable principles, which were gradually superseded by references to the equidistance line. The reliance on equidistance as a method of delimitation, albeit often heavily modified, in the bilateral maritime boundary agreements is examined. The conclusions then seek to present such features of Gulf State practice in the context of the international law of the sea, noting innovative aspects of delimitation in the Gulf, as well as the relevance of international law to a small but extremely significant region of the world.

Tell Abraq, located on the Persian Gulf Coast of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most important multi-period archaeological sites in southeastern Arabia. Although it forms part of a well-known architectural tradition, it is distinguishable from most other monumental Bronze Age sites as a result of its continuous archaeological sequence spanning approximately 2000 years. Relevantly, the Bronze Age occupation alone covers the period from ca. 2300–1300 BC. Previous archaeological investigations have established that continuous, intense occupation of individual sites was relatively rare during the southeastern Arabian Bronze Age. This prompts the question of why Tell Abraq stands amongst a select group of sites that developed in this manner. This thesis concentrates on two main areas in order to inform that specific inquiry: first, the architectural remains constructed, used and modified during the Bronze Age, along with the deposits surrounding them (the stratigraphic analysis); and second, Tell Abraq’s role in the regional context, particularly in light of contemporary environmental conditions in southeastern Arabia (the contextual analysis). There are clear similarities between Tell Abraq and other Bronze Age sites in the region yet Tell Abraq was occupied significantly longer than all but one other excavated site (Kalba 4). The continuous occupation of Tell Abraq therefore provides a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the development of this mode of settlement across the region during the third and second millennia BC. The distribution of Bronze Age monumental sites encompasses all of the major environmental and geographical zones across southeastern Arabia, but they are temporally limited to an earlier phase of the Bronze Age. The theory that Tell Abraq was a key component in an ancient regional network that spanned the entire Bronze Age is championed, despite prevailing environmental and social challenges, leading to a conclusion that resilience was adopted as a response to these challenges, rather than widespread collapse or social devolution.

[Truncated abstract] The Arabian Gulf oil and gas production reserves have made it one of the world's strategic producers since early 1960s, with many of the existing platforms stretched beyond their original design life. Advances in drilling technology and reservoir assessments have extended the requirement for the service life of those existing platforms even further. Extension of the life span of an existing platform requires satisfactory reassessment of its various structural components, including piled foundations. The American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 2A (API RP2A) is commonly used in the Arabian Gulf for reassessment of existing platforms. The API guidelines have been developed for conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, the waters off Alaska and the Pacific and Atlantic seaboards of the USA. However, the Arabian Gulf conditions are fundamentally different to those encountered in US waters. Hence, there is a need to develop guidelines for reassessment of existing offshore structures to account for the specific conditions of the Arabian Gulf. This thesis performs statistical analyses on databases collected during this research from existing platforms to calibrate relevant load and resistance factors for the required guidelines. The developed guidelines are based on established approaches used in developing international codes and standards such as API RP2A-LRFD. The outcome of this research revolves around the following three main issues: 1. Calibration of resistance factors for axial capacity of piles driven in the carbonate soils API RP2A (1993, 2000) does not quantify limiting soil parameters for piles driven in carbonate soils and provides a single factor to predict the capacity of piled foundations. This research identifies a set of limiting engineering parameters and calibrates corresponding capacity reduction factors to predict axial capacity of driven piles in the carbonate soils of the Arabian Gulf. ... This contrasts with Section 'R' of API RP2A (1993, 2000), which focuses on extreme environmental conditions when performing reassessment. The probabilities of failure considered in this research do not include errors and omissions (controlled by quality assurance procedures) or material deterioration (controlled by choice of materials, detailing, protective devices, and inspection and repair procedures) or reliability-based maintenance. Addressing operating overload conditions requires attending to two issues, namely the capacity of piles driven in carbonate soils and OALL, which have been addressed in this research. The operational overload situation is likely to occur during shutdown condition or during drilling or work over activities where significant OALL are usually applied to platform decks. Such operational overload can be managed by placing signs at various open areas on the platform nominating the maximum load limits (kPa), introducing procedures that ensure that maximum load limits are not exceeded during operation and management of human behavior by reinforcing the importance of following the procedures. The outcomes of this research are expected to have a profound influence on reassessment of existing platforms in the Arabian Gulf.

Le but de cette thèse est d'analyser plusieurs phénomènes de bord ouest de la Mer d'Arabie : (i) le cycle de vie d'un tourbillon de mésoéchelle persistant, le Great Whirl; (ii) la dynamique d'un écoulement d'eau dense (outflow) formée dans une mer adjacente, l'outflow du Golfe Persique; et (iii) une remontée d'eau profonde (upwelling) saisonnière dans la zone côtière d'Oman. Le point commun entre ces phénomènes est leur localisation sur un bord ouest océanique. Ils sont donc influencés par des forçages locaux (notamment les vents de mousson) et les forçages à distance (ondes de Rossby et tourbillons dérivant vers l'ouest). En particulier, ces derniers vont jouer un rôle particulier car la Mer d'Arabie est située à basses latitudes, ce qui implique une propagation rapide des ondes longues et tourbillons. De plus, des ondes sont continuellement excitées par le régime saisonnier des moussons. Nous avons mis au point des expériences numériques de différentes complexités en utilisant un modèle aux équations primitives. Ces expériences permettent soit de simuler de manière réaliste la dynamique complexe de la Mer d'Arabie, soit d'isoler un processus en particulier. Les résultats principaux peuvent se résumer comme suit : (i) le cycle de vie du Great Whirl est significativement impacté par les ondes de Rossby annuelles. Le rotationnel de la tension de vent joue un rôle important dans le maintien, le renforcement et la barotropisation du tourbillon. (ii) La dispersion de l'Eau du Golfe Persique (Persian Gulf Water, PGW) est déterminée par le mélange induit par les tourbillons de mésoéchelle. Précisément, ces tourbillons entrent dans le Golfe d'Oman (où se déverse la PGW), et interagissent avec la topographie. Ces interactions frictionnelles produisent des bandes de vorticité très intenses dans la couche limite de fond. Celles-ci sont arrachées et forment des tourbillons de sous-mésoéchelle. Ces tourbillons capturent de la PGW initialement située sur la pente continentale et la redistribuent dans le golfe d'Oman. Ce mécanisme donne finalement lieu à du mélange, permettant d'expliquer le gradient de salinité climatologique observé en profondeur. (iii) La dynamique de l'upwelling saisonnier au large d'Oman contraste fortement avec la dynamique des upwelling de bord est (Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems, EBUS). En effet, les ondes de Rossby se propagent vers le large dans les EBUS et vers la côte dans l'upwelling de bord ouest d'Oman. Ces ondes modulent la réponse en température de l'upwelling forcé par le vent.Dans l'ensemble, ces résultats sont relativement spécifiques à la Mer d'Arabie. La faible extension zonale et la basse latitude de la Mer d'Arabie, ainsi que le régime de mousson des vents saisonniers en font une région particulière. La propagation rapide des ondes et tourbillons et leurs interactions avec le bord ouest façonnent les régimes de turbulence de la Mer d'Arabie
This PhD aims to investigate some western boundary processes in the Arabian Sea : (i) the life cycle of the socalled Great Whirl, a persistent mesoscale eddy; (ii) the dynamics of the Persian Gulf outflow, a marginal sea dense outflow; and (iii) the seasonal Oman upwelling, a coastal upwelling forced by summermonsoonal winds. The cornerstone of all these phenomena is their locationat a western boundary, which makes then being influenced by both localforcing (e.g., monsoonal winds) and remote forcing (Rossby waves and wesward drifting eddies). Specifically, the later are expected to impact the western boundary dynamics since the low latitude of the Arabian Sea implies a fast westward propagation of long Rossby waves and eddies. Moreover, waves are continously excited by the reversing monsoonal winds. Based on a primitive equation model, we designed numerical experiments of different complexity that allowed to either realistically simulate the dynamics in the Arabian Sea or to isolate some processes.Major findings can be summarized as follows : (i) The Great Whirl life cycle is found to be significantly paced by annual Rossby waves, although the strong monsoonal wind stress curl is of major importance to sustain the structure. (ii) The Persian Gulf Water (PGW) spreading in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Arabian Sea can be explained by the stirring done by eddies entering the Gulf. These remotely formed surface intensifed mesoscale eddies propagate into the Gulf and interact with the topography. Frictional interactions produce intense vorticity strips at the boundary that detach and roll up in the interior, forming submesoscale coherent vortices (SCV). These SCV trap PGW initially located on the slope and redistribute it in the interior. This mechanism of transport ultimately produces mixing that explains the large-scale gradient of salinity in the gulf. (iii) We find that the dynamics of the seasonal upwelling of Oman contrasts with the more deeply studied Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS). In particular, Rossby waves, propagating offshore in EBUS vs. onshore in this western boudary upwelling, are found to modulate the wind driven upwelling and its sea surface temperature response.Overall, these results appear to be rather specific to the Arabian Sea. The short zonal extent and the low-latitude of the Arabian Sea, as well as the seasonally reversing wind forcing are the distinguishing features of this region. Fast waves and drifting eddies and their interactions with the western boundary significantly shape the turbulent regimes of the western Arabian Sea

Cette thèse intègre l'analyse inédite de plus de 80 000 restes provenant des sites néolithiques d'Akab, de Dalma et de Marawah MR11 (Emirats Arabes Unis) – occupés entrela moitié du VIe et la fin du IVe millénaire av. n. è. Les résultats dévoilent des pêcheries déjà investies dans l'exploitation d'une grande variété de milieux marins. Les poissons capturés et consommés par ces pêcheurs incluent de nombreux sargues, pagres (Sparidae), empereurs (Lethrinidae) et petites aiguilles (Belonidae) qui témoignent avant tout de l'exploitation des eaux côtières peu profondes : le long des rivages ainsi que dans les zones d'herbiers et de récif frangeant. À Akab, la pêche dans la lagune et la mangrove est également reflétée par la présence de nombreux poissons‐chats marins (Ariidae) et mulets (Mugilidae) dans l'assemblage. Les techniques impliquées dans ce type de pêche sont peu sélectives et relativement simples : la prospection des petits fonds à l'aide de senne, la pose de filets calés, voire l'utilisation de barrages à poissons. À Dalma, des nasses étaient probablement déjà employées dans les zones de récifs moyennement profondes, pour la capture de mérous en particulier (Serranidae). Les mangroves et les zones de récifs sont des environnements très productifs auprès desquels les pêcheurs pouvaient vraisemblablement se fournir en poissons et en coquillages tout au long de l'année. En l'occurrence, ceux d'Akab connaissaient et exploitaient probablement déjà les grands rassemblements de becs‐decane (Lethrinus nebulosus) près de la lagune d'Umm al‐Quwain, au printemps et à l'occasion de leur frai. L'étude du matériel d'Akab et de Dalma révèle toutefois aussi l'existence d'expéditions de pêche en mer ouverte, impliquant l'usage de bateaux. Ces expéditions sont notamment conduites à la recherche des bancs de thonines (Scombridae) voire de carangues (Carangidae). Leur pêche n'impliquait pas seulement l'emploi de lignes munies d'hameçons en nacre mais aussi celui de filets tels que des sennes tournantes. Ces filets ont également permis aux pêcheurs de Dalma de capturer de grands requins et quelques dauphins plus occasionnellement. Bien que la pêche des bancs de pélagiques soit aujourd'hui considérée comme une activité hivernale dans les pêcheries du Golfe persique, l'existence d'un climat plus humide au Néolithique, alors soumis au régime de la mousson de l'Océan Indien, invite à nuancer nos modèles de saisonnalité.Au Néolithique, la pêche était ainsi pratiquée à la fois de manière généraliste et de manière spécialisée en faisant contribuer un large panel de techniques et de savoirs écologiques aux besoins d'une économie de subsistance reposant principalement sur l'exploitation des ressources marines
This thesis presents the results of a study of more than 80,000 fish bones from the Neolithic settlement of Akab, Dalma and Marawah MR11 (United Arab Emirates) – inhabited from the mid‐6th to the end of the 4th millennia BC. The analysis has outlined that fishing was carried out in a wide range of marine habitats.The fish taxa caught and consumed by Neolithic fishermen include seabreams (Sparidae),emperors (Lethrinidae) and small needlefish (Belonidae) indicating the exploitation of coastal shallow waters : along the seashore, the beaches, over seagrass beds and fringingreefs. At Akab, the exploitation of the lagoon and the mangrove is also indicated by the occurrence of sea catfish (Ariidae) and mullets (Mugilidae) in the bone assemblage. The fishing techniques involved in such catches are non‐selective such as small seines, set nets or coastal barrier traps. At Dalma, the installation of baited cage traps in deeper reef areas isalso suggested by the importance of large groupers (Serranidae). Mangroves and reefs a reproductive marine environments which might have provided enough fish and shellfish allyear round for Neolithic coastal communities. Akab fishermen probably already knew and exploited the spawning phenomenon of the spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) in the vicinity of the Umm al‐Quwain lagoon.The exploitation of the open sea is documented as well at Akab and Dalma. Fishing expeditions in open sea however require the use of boats. Pelagic schools of kawakawas (little tuna ; Scombridae) and trevallies (Carangidae) were probably exploited not only withlines but also with fishing nets such as purse seines. At Dalma, large sharks and occasionally dolphins were also caught in this way. Despite that the fishing of pelagic schools is nowadays considered as a winter activity in the Persian Gulf, the existence of a wetter climate during Neolithic, affected by the Indian Ocean monsoon, leads us to temper our seasonal models. During the Neolithic, fishing was conducted both in non‐selective and specialised ways. Awide range of fishing techniques and ecological knowledges have contributed to the subsistence of coastal societies whose economies were primarily focused toward the exploitation of marine resources

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004.
Thesis advisor(s): James A. Russell, W. Andrew Terrill. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-55). Also available online.

Natural resources have long been associated with strategic benefits and the potential to generate impressive economic wealth. Consequently, scarce and exhaustible natural resources have been moreover coveted given the prospects for even greater gains. However, competition over ownership rights to reserves can lead to tensions as well as conflict. Resource nationalism has been described as the case in which governments and/or ethnic groups lay claim to natural resources located within territorial boundaries for the purposes of ownership and control. This thesis examines the impact of resource nationalism on international relations and the shaping of geopolitics using the Persian Gulf countries of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as case studies. It employs a multi-faceted approach in which components of resource nationalism are identified and expounded. The materials of focus are oil and gas, both of which are present across Persian Gulf region and are the primary generators of revenue for each case study. The thesis explores the dynamics of resource nationalism through various interpretations and manifestations, demonstrating its utilization in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, derivations of respective implementations are reviewed such as economic entities and militarization. In this vein, existing and developing ethnic tensions are also assessed. Afterwards, further unexplored and unidentified usages of resource nationalism are additionally covered. The research concludes by providing conceptual solutions for the shortcomings of resource nationalism framework, recommendations for tactical management of deficiencies, and prospects for proliferation.

This dissertation is an exploration of the dynamics of Iranian-Saudi relations from the earliest days of their encounter in the 1920s through 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. This is a period in the relations of the two states that has rarely been the subject of intellectual inquiry in the existing literature. This present research provides an analytical historiography of Iranian-Saudi relations with an aim to examine the elements constituting the dynamics of their relations. This is attained by contextualizing the milestones of Iranian-Saudi relations, triangulating historical accounts to identify the narrative among alternatives that best fits the meaningful causal processes explaining continuity and change, and weighing the impacts of factors playing a role in any given period of the Iranian-Saudi relations.

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2002.
Thesis advisor(s): Glenn F. Robinson, Harold D. Blanton. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-65). Also available online.

Following the 1973 rise in the price of oil, the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations of the Middle East became hosts to hundreds of thousands of foreign workers taking part in the economic development of the region. From the beginning, the employment of migrant workers was seen as a temporary measure, necessary to compensate for the small indigenous populations in the Gulf. The numbers of foreign workers has become so great, that the migrants now constitute a majority of the population in several of the GCC countries. The relative permanence with which foreign workers have now established themselves is of great concern to the host governments. It appears that the insufficient skill-levels and sizes of the national workforces, together with the position the extensive and growing migrant communities hold in the growing Gulf economies point to the continued presence of large foreign populations for some time to come.

Les trois monothéismes conçoivent un Dieu créateur et ordonnateur du monde, révélé dans l’histoire, garant de toute justice et de tout équilibre, et déterminant l’autorité et les systèmes d’autorités. La théologie a informé le droit et les lois, l’économie et l’éthique des personnes et des États. L’islam, loin d’être homogénéisé dans ses approches économiques, financières et réglementaires, révèle par le biais d’un exemple concret, par l’industrie des services financiers islamiques, les différentes facettes de ce qu’est l’autorité dans un contexte musulman, international et en pleine évolution. Prenant en compte la dynamique des questions sectaires, géographiques et interprétatives, la thèse analyse cette force déterminante que sont les « autorités » en finance islamique. Ces dernières semblent déterminer la finance islamique dans ses formes les plus tangibles, en structurant des produits financiers islamiques. L’analyse comporte d’abord une approche théorique, ensuite une étude comparée des facteurs qui déterminent les décisions prises lors de la structuration de produits financiers islamiques. Ces structures sont en effet fondées sur des contrats financiers conformes aux principes de la sharia. Leur approbation par des membres de conseils de la sharia est-elle déterminée par une autorité régionale, par des autorités internationales ou par des autorités de régulation ? Ces autorités sont-elles conventionnelles ou religieuses ? Afin de bien évaluer la problématique non seulement de l’autorité en tant que telle mais aussi de l’équilibre complexe entre les différentes autorités, nous développons une analyse comparée du système de structuration des produits financiers islamiques par les autorités concernées, en fonction des zones géographiques, au moyen d’un échantillon de 121 membres de conseils de la sharia couvrant l’approbation de produits financiers islamiques au sein de 243 institutions financières islamiques sur 35 pays
The three monotheistic religions refer to a God who is the all-powerful creator of all that exists, revealed throughout history, guarantor of justice and fairness, who is the ultimate moral authority. Theology advises some of the laws, economics and ethics of individuals and of states. Islam is not homogeneous in its economic, financial and regulatory approaches. However, through the financial services industry, it reveals in a tangible manner various facets of authority across Muslim contexts. These include contexts that are international and highly dynamic. Taking into account the delicate balance between sectarian, geographic and interpretive facets, the thesis analyses the determining forces that we refer to as authorities in Islamic finance. These contribute to the Islamic finance industry in its most tangible form in the structuring of Islamic financial products. Analysis is carried out initially theoretically. It is followed by a comparative study of factors affecting decisions pertaining to the structuring of Islamic financial products. These structures are based on financial contracts that conform to the principles of the Sharia. Is approval by Sharia board members fashioned by a regional authority, by international authorities, or by regulatory authorities? Are these authorities conventional or religious? We address the question as it pertains to the dynamics between various types of authority. We develop a comparative analysis of the approach taken in structuring Islamic financial products, according to geographical areas related to a sample of 121 Sharia board members covering Islamic financial products for 243 Islamic financial institutions in 35 countries

Les littoraux d’Abu Dhabi, et plus largement ceux du golfe Arabique, ont joué un rôle majeur dans le développement des populations humaines au cours de l’Holocène. Parallèlement, ces milieux apparaissent également comme des espaces très vulnérables. En plus d’être soumis aux variations climatiques régionales, ils ont été fortement exposés aux mobilités des lignes de rivage, contrôlées en partie par les variations du niveau marin. L’étude de ces fluctuations s’avère ainsi essentielle pour reconstituer les évolutions paléogéographiques des littoraux dont dépendaient les sociétés. La thèse présente une synthèse de ces variations et des changements paléoenvironnementaux associés, soutenue par l’apport de nouveaux résultats issus d’un travail de terrain, par l’examen des recherches déjà publiées et par un travail de modélisation reposant sur la création de Sea-Level Index Points, à Abu Dhabi mais aussi sur l’ensemble de la rive sud du Golfe. Selon une approche géoarchéologique, l’étude cherche simultanément à replacer les sites dans leurs contextes paléoenvironnementaux. En dépit de variations métriquement réduites, les résultats indiquent des impacts considérables sur la morphologie des littoraux, marqués par de très faibles élévations. Ils permettent également d’expliquer en partie la répartition des sites archéologiques. Enfin, ils attestent de l’existence de variations relatives du niveau marin, résultant de dynamiques de surrection et de subsidence des masses terrestres. Les trajectoires identifiées traduisent de fortes disparités régionales et mettent en lumière la complexité et l’imbrication des mécanismes isostatiques, néotectoniques et diapiriques
The coastlines of Abu Dhabi, and more broadly, those of the Arabian Gulf, have played a major role in the development of human populations during the Holocene. At the same time, these environments appear to be highly vulnerable. In addition to being subject to regional climatic variations, they have also been heavily influenced by shoreline mobilities, partially controlled by sea-level fluctuations. Studying these fluctuations is therefore essential for reconstructing the paleogeographic evolution of the coasts upon which societies depended. This thesis presents a synthesis of these variations and associated paleoenvironmental changes, supported by the contribution of new fieldwork results, a review of previously published research and modelling work based on the creation of Sea-Level Index Points, both in Abu Dhabi and across the entire southern shore of the Gulf. Adopting a geoarchaeological approach, the study integrates archaeological data to replace archaeological sites within their paleoenvironmental context. Despite relatively small metric variations, the results indicate significant impacts on shoreline morphology, marked by very low elevations. They also enable archaeological maps to be put into perspective. Lastly, they confirm the existence of relative sea-level variations resulting from landmass uplift and subsidence. The identified trajectories reveal substantial regional disparities and underscore the complexity and interplay of isostatic, neotectonic and diapiric mechanisms

The unusual way in which Britain's empire in Arabia was connected politically and constitutionally to the metropole, and the perceived – in some instances exaggerated – view of its strategic and economic importance, created both an opportunity and a justification for the British disengagement from the region to happen differently than in most of the rest of the empire. Strong personalities – in the metropole, amongst the men on the spot, and among local elites – played a crucial role in decision-making, and this thesis argues that informal networks from among these three constituencies worked in parallel to the established formal channels, impacting policy and driving the decision-making process. These networks initially contributed to a break in the political consensus within the metropole, but eventually also helped to restore it. The manipulation of local elites was the tool of choice, used by Britain (under both Conservative and Labour Governments) and its "men on the spot", in their endeavour to secure a lasting privileged position in Arabia. How key actors adapted to change, both in their own societies and in the international system, often determined the success or otherwise of their endeavours. This tangled tale of Britain’s last imperial stand in Arabia is far from being a unique case of how modern empires have handled unusual episodes of imperial retreat. The story has echoes in two other imperial exits of the late 20^th century – the French disengagement from Algeria from 1954 to 1962, and Russian efforts to maintain a privileged position in Georgia, immediately before and after the collapse of the USSR in 1991, and since. Even if it is too early to draw firm conclusions, similar patterns – as the ones discussed in this thesis with regards to the end of the British Empire in Arabia – can also be observed in the other two cases, allowing us to draw some observations and lessons.

Au cœur des intérêts stratégiques et économiques américains au Moyen-Orient, le golfe Persique occupe une « centralité paradoxale » dans la politique étrangère de Washington. Avec le pacte du Quincy en 1945, destiné à sécuriser l’approvisionnement pétrolier saoudien, les États-Unis se sont implantés durablement dans la zone. Une présence qui n’a cessé de se renforcer depuis la chute du Mur de Berlin et la disparition de l’Union soviétique. Enjeux stratégiques, sécuritaires et économiques font aujourd’hui de Washington le premier acteur étranger de la région. Alors que les attentats du 11 septembre et l’invasion américaine de l’Irak avaient remis plus que jamais la région au cœur des préoccupations de Washington, les conflits et les déstabilisations nés des conséquences du printemps arabe obligent désormais les États-Unis à renforcer encore leur présence dans la zone. Si Washington, qui rêvait de pivot vers l’Asie, se retrouve « prisonnier » de ce golfe Persique, obligé de traîner son boulet « de sable et de pétrole », les entreprises américaines ont, elles aussi, renforcé leur présence dans la région depuis les années 90. Entre obtention de contrats traditionnels et soutien à la transition des économies de la région, elles trouvent là d’importants relais de croissance. Quels sont les outils mis en place par les administrations successives pour soutenir et encourager les exportations américaines ? Comment la politique de Washington conforte-t-elle la place de ses entreprises auprès de ses partenaires régionaux ? Existe-t-il un modèle américain dont les économies européennes puissent s’inspirer ? C’est à ces questions que la présente thèse essaie de répondre en observant le fonctionnement de l’appareil d’État américain, l’environnement dans lequel il opère et l’évolution des politiques de ses administrations, de George H. Bush à Barack Obama
The Persian Gulf occupies a “paradoxal centrality” in American foreign policy as it is at the heart of the United States’ strategic and economic interests in the Middle East. The 1945 Quincy Agreement which aimed at securing access to Saudi oil ensured enduring U.S. presence in the region -- a presence that has grown in importance since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today, the strategic, security and economic interests at stake have made the United States the leading foreign power in the region. While the 9/11 attacks and the American invasion of Iraq had already made the Middle East Washington’s major concern, the United States has had to reinforce its presence to face the conflicts and destabilization that resulted from the Arab Spring. If Washington had dreamt of a “pivot to East Asia”, it finds itself “imprisoned” in the Persian Gulf region, forced as it is to drag its heavy “ball of sand and oil”. American firms have consolidated their presence in the region since the 1990s thanks to huge contracts and their role in the process of transition of regional economies. For them, these markets represent major growth opportunities. What tools has Washington created over the years to support and stimulate American exports? How did U.S. policies strengthen U.S. firms’ market shares in Washington’s regional allies? Can we define an American model that could inspire European economies? Here are the questions this dissertation tries to answer. To do so it analyzes the “machinery” of U.S. foreign economic policy, its environment and the evolution from 1989 to 2014

This thesis explores what effect Saudi and American policy differences towards Iran have had on their bilateral relations. It is based on the recent thaw in Iran-U.S. relations, and the critical reaction of the Saudi government towards this policy. The question has two components – first, how severe the current Saudi-American rift is, and second, to what extent it can be traced to their differences over Iran. The topic will be addressed through process-tracing methods. The thesis concludes that there is indeed a rift in Saudi-U.S. relations marked by an increasingly assertive and independent Saudi foreign policy, though its alliance with America will likely endure. It also concludes that while the thaw in relations between Iran and the U.S. on the nuclear issue was not ultimately the major factor, more general differences over Iran are one of the most significant reasons for the Saudi-U.S. rift.

Les titres et les statuts territoriaux occupent une place centrale en droit international en raison de la territorialité de cet ordre juridique. L’émergence des Etats du Moyen-Orient présente des spécificités historico-juridiques, qui sont en grande partie à l’origine des problèmes territoriaux actuels. En effet, dans la région étudiée, l’application des régimes de protectorat et de Mandat a eu une incidence considérable sur les titres territoriaux des Etats. Contrairement à la colonisation pure et simple, ces régimes territoriaux laissaient, en principe, subsister pour l’entité sous domination, une personnalité internationale distincte. Une telle situation intermédiaire a très souvent conduit à des interrogations sur les règles de droit international applicables. La présente étude envisage justement cette problématique : quels effets ont eu les régimes de protectorat et de Mandat sur l’établissement ou la modification des titres territoriaux ? L’objectif de l’étude est de contribuer à mettre en exerguel’origine des titres territoriaux au Moyen-Orient, pour mieux comprendre et analyser les problèmes territoriaux actuels dans la région
Territorial titles and statuses occupy a central place in international law because of the territoriality of this legal order. The emergence of the Middle East States presents historical and legal specificities which are largely the sources of current territorial problems. Indeed, in the region under study, the application of Protectorate and Mandate regimes had a significant impact on the States territorial titles. Under these territorial regimes, unlike outright colonization, a separate international personality remained, in principle, for the entity under domination. Such an intermediate situation has often led to questions about the applicable rules of international law. The study considers precisely this issue: what effects have had the regimes of Protectorate and Mandate on the establishment or modification of territorial titles? The objective of thestudy is to contribute to highlight the origin of territorial titles in the Middle East, in order to better understand and analyze the current territorial problems in the region

Coral reef ecosystems are in rapid decline due to global and local anthropogenic factors. Being among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, a loss will decrease species diversity, and remove food source for people along the coast. The coral together with its symbionts (i.e. Symbiodinium, bacteria, and other microorganisms) is called the ‘coral holobiont’. The coral host offers its associated symbionts suitable habitats and nutrients, while Symbiodinium and coral-associated bacteria provide the host with photosynthates and vital nutrients. Association of corals with certain types of Symbiodinium and bacteria confer coral stress tolerance, and lack or loss of these symbionts coincides with diseased or bleached corals. However, a detailed understanding of the coral holobiont diversity and structure in regard to diseases and health states or across global scales is missing. This dissertation addressed coral-associated symbiont diversity, specifically of Symbiodinium and bacteria, in various coral species from different geographic locations and different health states. The main aims were (1) to expand the scope of existing technologies, (2) to establish a standardized framework to facilitate comparison of symbiont assemblages over coral species and sites, (3) to assess Symbiodinium diversity in the Arabian Seas, and (4) to elucidate whether coral health states have conserved bacterial footprints. In summary, a next generation sequencing pipeline for Symbiodinium diversity typing of the ITS2 marker is developed and applied to describe Symbiodinium diversity in corals around the Arabian Peninsula. The data show that corals in the Arabian Seas are dominated by a single Symbiodinium type, but harbor a rich variety of types in low abundant. Further, association with different Symbiodinium types is structured according to geographic locations. In addition, the application of 16S rRNA gene microarrays to investigate how differences in microbiome structure relate to differences in health and disease demonstrate that coral species share common microbial footprints in phenotypically similar diseases that are conserved between regional seas. Moreover, corals harbor bacteria that are species-specific and distinct from the diseased microbial footprints. The existence of conserved coral disease microbiomes allows for cataloging diseases based on bacterial assemblage over coral species boundaries and will greatly facilitate future comparative analyses.

Rentier state theory (RST) remains the dominant literature on state-society relations in the Arab States of the Gulf, yet by focusing on case studies of three ostensibly ‘rentier’ states, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, and their experience during the post-2011 period, this dissertation challenges assumptions of rent-induced political stagnation, state autonomy, and poor economic development prevalent in RST. The study is based on seven months field research in the Gulf region and among expatriate communities residing in the United Kingdom conducted between June 2013 and February 2014, including over 130 personal interviews with members of royal families, elected and appointed representatives, development advisors, youth entrepreneurs, and demonstrators involved in protests since 2011, as well as other data gathering activities. By examining informal and formal opposition in Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman since 2011, this thesis disputes RST’s assertion that distributions of wealth stymie political dissent. Participants in street demonstrations generally did not refer to material interests when justifying their opposition, but instead emphasised dissatisfaction with political rights, desire to hold the state accountable, or – in Qatar and Oman where society did not form ‘opposition’ so much as ‘reform-oriented movements’ – a sense that reform was in the national interest. Even loyalists justified their support for the state not by reference to rent distributions, but rather a sense of responsiveness and, in most cases, a shared identity with the ruling elite. The dissertation also disputes RST’s typical depiction of the state as a coherent actor, analysing political pressures emanating from reform-oriented groups within the state. As rent distributions were a poor determinant of political activism, the thesis identifies several dynamics that overpowered rent-based incentives to remain politically inactive. While RST depicts states as effectively coopting society through rent distributions, the dissertation draws from an in-depth examination of Omani economic development between 1990 and 2014 to reveal that the state’s rent-driven economic development strategy had unintentionally contributed to a sense of inequality among nationals and the emergence of popular dissatisfaction, highlighting the importance of examining rent-based cooptation strategies at a sub-national level rather than relying on assumptions of cooptation at the national level. In a similar critique, the research also investigates the international dimensions of rentierism, finding that rentier states were far less insulated than typically assumed, examining three key cases where international networks or political pressures have impacted the state-society relationship. Societies, then, were far from quiescent, and this research examines the networks and dynamics that have allowed citizens to challenge state authority. The dissertation argues that rentierism remains critical to understanding state-society relations in the Gulf states during the post-2011 period, but it is not necessarily dominant, and that several assumed outcomes of oil and gas wealth require revision and refinement. Ultimately, the dissertation depicts oil and gas-rich states of the Arab Gulf as having exceptional capacity to respond to the material demands of their citizenry, but also remaining responsive to a politically active society, even where formal political liberalisation has been limited, or even regressed since 2011.