Comparative Study of the United States and China’s Security Investments in the Arabian Gulf during 2020-2025: Case Studies of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar

Abstract

This research explores the motivations and strategies of the United States (US) and China in the Gulf region with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar. Guided by the theoretical framework of offensive realism, the findings are based on the assumption that state actors in an inherently chaotic international system will always seek to maximise their power and competitive advantage in order to safeguard their stability and interests. This thesis is equally applicable to powerful international players like the United States and China as well as the three selected case study countries in the Gulf. The analysis reveals that the United States has remained the predominant security guarantor in the region as it can pre-emptively contain regional threats or aggressive actors such as Iran through its direct presence and leverage, in addition to its commitment to maintaining the security of its Gulf Arab partners. As such, it has continuously invested in arms deals, military bases, joint operations, and training programmes with each of the three chosen Gulf states, and its strongest base and presence remains on the territory of Qatar. In comparison, China has proven cautious in encroaching upon these bilateral ties, instead framing its collaboration with the three countries as an economic one under its global Belt and Road Initiative. In some instances, however, cooperation and deals have extended to the realm of security with secretive arms deals or dual-use technological and infrastructure investments that could be construed as posing a threat to US regional goals. So far, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have tried to sustain a balancing or hedging strategy which would not endanger their beneficial relationship with and reliance upon the US for the sake of their own security, but at the same time they have attempted to diversify their options with China proving an eager though limited partner.