Britain’s Stance on Saudi–Kuwaiti Relations (1897-1932)

Abstract

This thesis examines the politics and shifts in power between external and internal actors in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the interactions between the leaders of Saudi Arabia (ʿAbdul ʿAziz bin ʿAbdul Rahman Al-Saʿud, the founder of the modern state of Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait (under Mubarak Al-Sabah, who ruled from 1896 to 1915, and his successors through to 1932), both in relation to each other and with the British, who were then the dominant foreign presence in the region. Previous scholarship tended to emphasise external considerations as the sole factor determining policy in the Arabian Peninsula during the early twentieth century, with the turning point in Saudi-British relations typically placed after World War I. This study addresses a gap in the literature by examining the significance of interpersonal relationships and informal diplomacy that emerged in the Gulf region in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and examines how these shaped policy for decades to come. It finds the 1897–1915 period particularly critical to understanding Saudi-Kuwaiti-British relations, as illustrated by Mubarak's initial request for British protection in 1897 and the rise of Ibn Saʿud in 1902. Furthermore, the research focuses on Britain's stance on Saudi-Kuwaiti relations between 1897 and 1932 — that is, the role their relationship (Saudi-Kuwaiti) played in shaping and influencing British policy in the region. Thus, the research focuses more broadly on the role of Saudi-Kuwaiti relations in influencing British policy and vice versa, as well as the rise of Ibn Saʿud, whose ascent had the greatest impact on shaping these dynamics before, during, and after World War I. This research challenges prevailing assumptions about policy development and the role of local actors. By analysing primary source material in both English and Arabic, it provides a more nuanced understanding of early twentieth-century policy formation. It finds that private relationships, personal ambitions and negotiations between individuals were just as important as great power realpolitik in shaping the history of the region. It was also observed that economic considerations and border fluidity played key roles in shaping the region.