NUCLEARISATION IN THE GULF AND IT’S IMPACT ON THE REGIONAL STABILITY

Abstract

The Gulf region due to its vast oil and gas reserves has attracted world attention
especially the major powers to meet their energy needs. The USA has declared it as a vital
national security interest and is bent upon using all elements of national power to ensure
the energy resources of Gulf are available for US and its allies without preconditions. The oil
crises of 1970s were the watershed for the US policy planners who considered guaranteed
and uninterrupted Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) for transportation of energy
needs. Therefore, to safeguard any eventuality, the USA commenced basing of its military
for protection of SLOCs and later in the transformation of Middle East as a result of US
actions in response to War on Terror and regime change philosophy, the USA and other
Extra Regional Forces (ERF) have established permanent bases in the Gulf with the aim of
conducting counter terrorism operations and providing stability to highly volatile region.
The Iranian nuclear aspiration is not new phenomena, which from Iran’s perspective is the
only deterrent in the face of credible threat surrounding it with the presence of ERF, ever
hostile Israel and now Saudi Arabia leading a dominant anti-Iranian alliance. While other
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Israel are pursuing nuclear path, but not
demonized by USA and its allies while unilateral pressure is being applied on Iran for
capping and later abandoning nuclear capabilities. This research article therefore, sketches
the overall security environments of Middle East and Gulf, highlighting transformation,
power transition and evolving balance of power. The nuclear aspects have been covered in a
wholesome manner in order to build comprehensive picture of nuclearization in the Gulf
and its impact on regional stability.